DALLAS, Jan. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ACCESS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. announced today that the Company has received a “Notice of Allowance” letter from the United States Patent and Trademark Office for its patent application entitled “Liquid Formulations for the Prevention and Treatment of Mucosal Diseases and Disorders.”
This patent provides intellectual property protection for MuGard(TM), Access’ product for the management of oral mucositis, a debilitating side- effect which afflicts an estimated 40% of cancer patients undergoing radiation and chemotherapy.
Access recently received 510(k) marketing clearance from the FDA for MuGard(TM). The Company is actively seeking marketing partners for MuGard(TM). The addressable market for oral mucositis is estimated to exceed $1 billion world-wide.
Mr. Stephen R. Seiler, Access’ President and Chief Executive Officer, noted, “We are actively pursuing plans to commercialize MuGard(TM), a valuable treatment option in supportive care of cancer patients. This ‘Notice of Allowance’ as well as the very positive clinical results reported at last year’s ‘18th International Symposium of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer’ in Toronto should strengthen our position in discussions with potential marketing partners.”
About MuGard(TM)
The Company has received 510(k) clearance from the FDA to market MuGard(TM) in the United States. MuGard(TM) is Access’ proprietary oral rinse product for the prevention and treatment of oral mucositis, a debilitating side-effect which afflicts an estimated 40% of cancer patients undergoing radiation and chemotherapy. There is currently no well-accepted treatment for mucositis. Access is actively seeking marketing partners in Europe and the US.
Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is an emerging biopharmaceutical company that develops and commercializes propriety products for the treatment and supportive care of cancer patients. Access’ products include ProLindac(TM), currently in Phase II clinical testing of patients with ovarian cancer and MuGard(TM) for the treatment of patients with oral mucositis. The Company also has advanced drug delivery technologies including Cobalamin-mediated targeted delivery and oral drug delivery. For additional information on Access Pharmaceuticals, please visit our website at http://www.accesspharma.com .
This press release contains certain statements that are forward-looking within the meaning of Section 27a of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and that involve risks and uncertainties, including statements relating to the value of our products in the market, our ability to achieve clinical and commercial success and our ability to successfully develop marketed products. These statements are subject to numerous risks, including but not limited to the risks detailed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 and other reports filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
CONTACT: Stephen B. Thompson, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer ofAccess Pharmaceuticals, Inc., +1-214-905-5100; or Investor Relations,Donald C. Weinberger, or media, Alisa Steinberg, both of Wolfe AxelrodWeinberger LLC, +1-212-370-4500, for Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Web site: http://www.accesspharma.com/
