NEW YORK, March 26, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- ACCESS
PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. (OTCBB: ACCP), an emerging biotechnology
company, announced today that it is leveraging its proprietary
CobaCyte™ drug delivery platform technology to create new
formulations of active pharmaceutical agents. Access recently
submitted an additional patent application to protect improvements
in the technology and expand applications, and is actively seeking
development partners globally. Access compared single doses of
Cobraxane™, its proprietary nanoparticle formulation of
commercially available protein-bound paclitaxel, with Abraxane® in
a standard mouse tumor model. At a dose of Cobraxane™ which was
half that of the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of the standard
paclitaxel particles, Cobraxane™ demonstrated slightly better tumor
growth inhibition than the MTD dose of standard paclitaxel
particles. Cobraxane™, injected at the same dose as the MTD dose of
standard paclitaxel particles, provided significantly better tumor
growth inhibition than the MTD dose of standard paclitaxel
particles. Tumor shrinkage was observed at the higher dose of
Cobraxane™. Access believes the preclinical data observed is a
strong indicator of potential clinical and commercial value of
Cobraxane™.
"It is known that certain diseased cells, notably cancer, have
an elevated demand for certain vitamins, including vitamin B12,
making our Cobalamin platform technology compelling for
reformulations of cancer-killing agents nearing the end of their
patent life," stated Jeffrey B.
Davis, President and CEO of Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc. "As
pharmaceutical companies seek ways to create new formulations for
the active drugs, and extend their patent runway, we believe our
CobaCyte™ platform technology can be the necessary enabling
technology."
Access' worldwide-exclusive patented Cobalamin™ technology
utilizes the body's natural vitamin B12 uptake mechanisms to
facilitate absorption of pharmaceuticals and other active agents
via a "Trojan horse" mechanism. Cobalamin transport can be
amplified by the use of proprietary nanoparticles or polymers that
can greatly amplify uptake. This technology platform provides
Access with the ability to develop different formulations with
improved benefits for various disease applications. The Company
believes its Cobalamin drug delivery technology has broad
application to proteins, small molecule drugs, hormones and
potentially sRNAi therapeutics, and has recently accelerated its
corporate partnering efforts around the technology.
Abraxane® is a registered trademark of Celgene Corporation.
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 and is developing multiple
follow-on products including ProctiGard™. 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.
About MuGard: MuGard® Mucoadhesive Oral
Wound Rinse is indicated for the management 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. MuGard is available by prescription only and is
contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to any of
the ingredients in the formulation. MuGard was launched in 2010
after receiving 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration and is marketed by AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in
the United States, RHEI
Pharmaceuticals in China, and
Hanmi Pharmaceuticals in Korea. Clinical data on
MuGard®, entitled "Multi-Institutional, Randomized,
Double Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial to Assess the Efficacy of a
Mucoadhesive Hydrogel (MuGard) in Mitigating Oral Mucositis Symptom
in Patients being treated With Chemoradiation Therapy for Cancers
of the Head and Neck," was recently published online at
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cncr.28553/full.
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, Investor Relations
Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(212) 786-6208
SOURCE Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc.