'These studies, which are a continuation of work presented at the AACR annual meeting earlier this year, provide further support to our belief that ProLindac has the potential to become an important tool in the fight against cancer' stated David P. Nowotnik, Access' Senior Vice
In addition, the studies reaffirmed that ProLindac becomes more effective in the lowered pH environment of many tumors by showing that the formation of cancer-killing platinum-DNA adducts increases in tumor cells which are exposed to lower pH conditions. Exposure to ProLindac also resulted in tumor cell cycle arrest at a phase of the cycle where the tumor cell is more susceptible to damage. These effects can lead to programmed death (apoptosis) of the tumor cell. A synergistic effect of ProLindac was found with such well-established anticancer compounds as 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and gemcitabine, leading the authors to recommend that further investigation of ProLindac's use with other cancer drugs in clinical trials is warranted and lay the groundwork for the ProLindac combination clinical studies which Access is planning beginning in 2008.
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. Access has announced the execution of a definitive merger agreement to acquire Somanta. The acquisition of Somanta has not yet closed and the closing is subject to numerous closing conditions. 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: early results from our clinical trial, Access' plans to continue and initiate clinical trials as well as combination trials, planned dose escalation, the absence of nephrotoxicity, the ability to establish a higher therapeutic index for ProLindac, the value of its products in the market, its ability to achieve clinical and commercial success, its ability to successfully develop marketed products and the ability to obtain or meet the closing conditions in the merger agreement with Somanta Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and applicable regulatory and tax requirements, and to otherwise complete the merger in a timely manner, yet there can be no assurances that the closing conditions will be met or waived or that the transaction will close. 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' and Somanta's Annual Reports on Form 10-KSB and other reports filed by Access and Somanta with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
SOURCE Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc.