DALLAS, and NEW YORK, Sept.
14 /PRNewswire/ -- ACCESS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. (OTC
Bulletin Board: ACCP), a biopharmaceutical company specializing in
products for cancer and supportive care, announced today it has
received its first commercial order for MuGard from BioScrip
(Nasdaq: BIOS), its specialty distribution partner.
BioScrip's initial purchase order of MuGard, totaling over
$700,000, will provide adequate
inventory for its various distribution channels to support the
Company's first phase of its product launch for MuGard.
Access Pharmaceuticals has inventory on hand and will begin
shipping product to BioScrip immediately. MuGard is an
FDA-approved, ready-to-use mucoadhesive oral wound rinse for the
management of oral mucositis, a debilitating side effect of
radiation and/or chemotherapy.
"After months preparing for the official North American MuGard
launch, this commercial order represents a significant milestone as
it marks Access' first sales of MuGard in the US," said
Jeffrey Davis, CEO of Access
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. He continued, "With the help of our
partners, especially BioScrip, we continue to broaden our reach
within the medical community to further strengthen MuGard's
position as the optimal treatment option for oral mucositis
currently on the market."
"BioScrip and our MuGard-focused team have been great to work
with, and we look forward to a close collaboration going forward,"
stated Frank Jacobucci, VP Marketing
& Sales at Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc. "Together with
iMedicor/DMS, we have sampled almost all of the initial 500 MuGard
sample kits and are preparing for additional sampling
efforts. Initial feedback from the in-the-field reps,
clinicians and patients has been very positive, and it is clear
from discussions that a product for oral mucositis, such as MuGard,
addresses a very significant unmet clinical need."
As previously announced, Access signed two distribution and
marketing agreements in the US, one with BioScrip and one with
iMedicor/DMS. BioScrip, a leader in comprehensive pharmacy
services, provides nationwide distribution for MuGard with its
extensive physician relationships, 30+ top metro BioScrip specialty
pharmacies, mail distribution capability and diversified payor
network. Access and its partners continue working with large
oncology networks and key clinical sites to educate oncologists and
radiation oncologists on MuGard and the benefit it provides
patients undergoing radiation and chemotherapy. The Company
indicated the initial feedback from clinicians and patients has
been very positive, and it will update investors on the progress
and feedback throughout the remainder of the year.
About MuGard:
MuGard is a novel; ready-to-use mucoadhesive oral wound rinse
and coating for the management of oral mucositis, a debilitating
side effect of many anticancer treatments. Up to 40% of all
patients receiving chemotherapy develop moderate to severe
mucositis, and almost all patients receiving radiotherapy for head
and neck cancer and those undergoing stem cell transplantation
develop mucositis. Updated clinical practice guidelines for the
prevention and treatment of mucositis recommend the use of a
preventive oral care regimen as part of routine supportive care
along with a therapeutic oral care regimen if mucositis develops.
The market for the treatment of oral mucositis is estimated to be
in excess of $1 billion
world-wide.
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'
products include ProLindac™, currently in Phase II clinical testing
of patients with ovarian cancer, and MuGard™ for the management of
patients with mucositis. The company also has other advanced drug
delivery technologies including Cobalamin™-mediated targeted
delivery and oral drug delivery, its proprietary nanopolymer
delivery technology based on the natural vitamin B12 uptake
mechanism and Thiarabine, a new generation nucleoside analog which
has demonstrated both pre-clinical and clinical activity in certain
cancers. 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
ProLindac, MuGard, Thiarabine and Cobalamin and other product
candidates, 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
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.
Contacts:
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Christine Berni
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Donald C. Weinberger/Diana
Bittner (media)
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Director of Investor
Relations
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Wolfe Axelrod Weinberger Assoc.
LLC
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Access Pharmaceuticals,
Inc.
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(212) 370-4500
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(212) 786-6208
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SOURCE Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Copyright . 14 PR Newswire