Access Pharmaceuticals Announces New Data on Angiolix(R)

New Preclinical Data Suggests Potent Anti-Tumor Activity

DALLAS, April 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ACCESS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
(OTC Bulletin Board: ACCP) announced results from preclinical studies ongoing
at the prestigious Imperial College London on Angiolix(R), a proprietary
humanized monoclonal antibody. The new data, presented by Dr. Mahendra
Deonarain and Laura Bonney, Department of Biochemistry, demonstrate that
Angiolix has unusually high accumulation in multiple solid tumor types,
including breast and ovarian cancer. Angiolix interferes with binding of a
proprietary marker known as lactadherin, which is produced by cancer cells and
binds to an adhesion molecule specifically expressed on new blood vessels
produced by tumors. Lactadherin is not expressed in normal tissues and
therefore it is a suitable marker for tumor targeting. Angiolix has previously
been shown by the Cancer Institute of Contra Costa in San Francisco to be able
to destroy transplanted human breast cancer tumors.
"This new data shows that Angiolix interferes with binding of lactadherin
on new blood vessels and many different tumor types including breast, ovary,
stomach, as well with surrounding tissues the extra cellular matrix around
tumors and new blood vessels formed by tumors. Angiolix has similar effects to
Avastin(R) (Genentech). Avastin targets VEGF instead of lactadherin and since
Angiolix works on a different pathway to Avastin, it could potentially be
synergistic," said Agamemnon Epenetos, Ph.D., Access' Chief Scientific
Officer - Europe. "We believe this two-pronged attack could potentially
inhibit the process of angiogenesis and also induce apoptosis, promoting
cancer cell death. Based on this data, we are commencing additional studies
where Angiolix is administered in combination with chemotherapy in multiple
tumor types, including breast and ovarian cancers."
"No other product against the unique tumor marker, Lactadherin, for the
treatment of cancer can be developed without a sub-license from Access
Pharmaceuticals," continued Dr. Epenetos.
About Angiolix(R):
Angiolix is a humanized monoclonal antibody that binds to a proprietary
target called Lactadherin. Lactadherin has a critical role in promoting the
growth of new blood vessels to support tumor growth through activation of
VEGF-mediated angiogenesis. Angiolix demonstrated high tumor accumulation by
binding to available lactadherin on the tumor and surrounding tissue. In prior
human breast tumor mouse models, mice treated with Angiolix showed a
significant reduction in tumor volume while tumors in untreated controls grew
10-fold over the 30-day treatment period. Access is actively seeking
co-development partners for Angiolix.
About Access:
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 2 clinical testing of patients with ovarian cancer, and
MuGard(TM) for the management of patients with mucositis. The Company also has
other advanced drug delivery technologies including Cobalamin(TM)-mediated
targeted delivery and oral drug delivery, its proprietary nanopolymer delivery
technology based on the natural vitamin B12 uptake mechanism; Angiolix(R), a
humanized monoclonal antibody which acts as an anti-angiogenesis factor and is
targeted to breast cancer; Prodrax(R), a non-toxic prodrug which is activated
in the hypoxic zones of solid tumors to kill cancer cells; Alchemix, a
chemotherapeutic agent that combines multiple modes of action to overcome drug
resistance. Access is also developing Phenylbutyrate ("PB"), an HDAC inhibitor
and differentiating agent currently a Phase 2 clinical candidate. 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. These statements include those
relating to: our ability to close the financing transaction, early results
from our clinical trial, Access' plans to continue and initiate clinical
trials, the value of its products in the market, its ability to achieve
clinical and commercial success and its 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.
SOURCE Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Stephen B. Thompson, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer of Access
Pharmaceuticals, Inc., +1-214-905-5100; or Investor Relations, Donald C.
Weinberger, or Alisa Steinberg (media), both of Wolfe Axelrod Weinberger
Assoc. LLC, +1-212-370-4500, or Andrew Hellman of CEOcast, Inc.,
+1-212-732-4300, all for Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc.