Dallas, TX -- (ReleaseWire) -- 07/31/2014 --ACCESS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC., a developer of new products for oncology supportive care, announced that its novel product for oral mucositis, MuGard®, has been featured in an article on OncLive.com titled, “Study Finds Mouth Rinse Alleviates Oral Mucositis Symptoms in Head and Neck Cancers.” Dr. Steve Sonis, a leading expert in oral mucositis, provides insight on the growing demand seen in the oncology community for evidence-based strategies for the debilitating anticancer regimen side effect.

The article can be read by clicking on the following link: http://www.onclive.com/publications/Oncology-live/2014/July-2014/Study-Finds-Mouth-Rinse-Alleviates-Oral-Mucositis-Symptoms-in-Head-and-Neck-Cancers#sthash.f3xlnzkt.dpuf

Oral Mucositis: Oral mucositis ("OM") is a debilitating side effect of some radiation and chemotherapy cancer treatments, characterized by sores and ulcers in the mouth and throat that make swallowing difficult or impossible. It is estimated that 97% of patients receiving radiation for head and neck cancer, 70% of patients receiving stem cell transplantation and up to 40% of patients receiving conventional chemotherapy develop oral mucositis. There are an estimated 400,000 patients diagnosed with OM in the US annually, but OM is often under-diagnosed and the population at risk is significantly higher.

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 received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is marketed by AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in the United States. MuGard is also licensed in China with RHEI/Jian An, and in Korea with Hamni Pharmaceuticals.

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. 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 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 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.