DALLAS, April 17 /PRNewswire/ --

- New Preclinical Data Suggests Potent Anti-Tumor Activity

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.

Web site: http://www.accesspharma.com

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.