Access Pharmaceuticals Awarded Second European Patent for MuGard

DALLAS and NEW YORK, Sept. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- ACCESS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. (OTCBB: ACCP), an emerging biopharmaceutical company, has received notification from the European Patent Office that an additional European patent for MuGard™ has been granted.  The patent (EP1997478) protects a wide range of liquid formulations for the prevention and treatment of mucosal diseases and disorders.  Notification of the grant was published in the European Patent Bulletin no. 13/36 earlier this month.

"This second patent for MuGard in the EU provides us with additional protection of the mucoadhesive liquid technology that forms the basis of MuGard," noted Dr. David Nowotnik, Senior Vice President Research and Development, Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc. "The new patent also provides us with additional protection of formulations which could form the basis of potential MuGard line extension products."

MuGard provides the oral muscosa with a thin protective hydrogel layer which has been demonstrated in several clinical studies of mucositis to benefit patients in terms of reduced pain and discomfort as well as a reduction in objective mucositis scores.

"Our new patent in Europe expands and strengthens our MuGard patent portfolio, and we anticipate that current and future formulations of MuGard might also benefit patients with various other ulcerative conditions with the oral cavity such as oral lichen planus," commented Jeffrey Davis, President and CEO of Access. "We continue to actively seek a European marketing partner for MuGard, where MuGard has achieved market clearance and is indicated for the prevention and management of oral mucositis."

About MuGard: MuGard™ Mucoadhesive Oral Wound Rinse is an oral mucoadhesive that is designed to manage oral mucositis by forming a protective hydrogel coating over the oral mucosa to shield the membranes of the mouth and tongue. In Europe, MuGard is indicated for the prevention of oral mucositis/stomatitis (that may be caused by radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy) and all types of oral wounds (mouth sores and injuries), including aphthous ulcers/canker sores and traumatic ulcers, such as those caused by oral surgery or ill-fitting dentures or braces.

About Access: Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is an emerging biopharmaceutical company that develops and commercializes proprietary products for the treatment and supportive care of cancer patients. Access developed MuGard, a prescription oral rinse for the management of mucositis and is developing multiple products, and recently licensed US commercialization rights to AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Access also has other advanced drug delivery technologies including CobaCyte™-mediated targeted delivery and CobOral-oral drug delivery, its proprietary nanopolymer delivery technology based on the natural vitamin B12 uptake mechanism.  For additional information on Access Pharmaceuticals, please visit our website at 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. These statements include those relating to: our cash burn rate, clinical trial plans and timelines and clinical results for MuGard and Cobalamin, 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 Access' need to obtain additional financing in order to continue the clinical trial and operations and to the risks detailed in Access' Annual Reports on Form 10-K and other reports filed by Access with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Company and Media Contact:
Christine Berni
Director of Investor Relations
Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(212) 786-6208

SOURCE Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc.