DALLAS and NEW YORK, July 27 ACCESS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. (OTC Bulletin Board: ACCP), a biopharmaceutical company specializing in products for cancer and supportive care, today announced its e-marketing partner, iMedicor (OTC Bulletin Board: VMCI) commenced the initial phase of a multi-channel marketing program for MuGard. iMedicor's two-pronged marketing approach involves leveraging its direct sales channel through Direct Medical Solutions (DMS) and its online pharma marketing portal to further support Access' ongoing commercial launch efforts for its lead product. The initial phase of the marketing program for MuGard includes a targeted sampling program to DMS' physician network.
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MuGard, a FDA-approved, ready-to-use mucoadhesive oral wound rinse for the management of oral mucositis and stomatitis, is now being introduced to Centers of Excellence, Key Opinion Leaders, cancer research centers and selected physicians in the United States. The full national launch of the marketing program is expected during the third quarter where Access will utilize iMedicor's highly-targeted Physician Communication System (PCS) reaching over 200,000 select physicians, while further leveraging iMedicor's strategic partnership with DMS and other strategic partners.
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"Teaming up with iMedicor and DMS is an important strategic step in launching MuGard in North America as it provides us the ability to introduce MuGard more rapidly and cost-effectively than we would expect through traditional distribution channels to doctors," said Jeffrey Davis, CEO of Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc. He continued, "Along with this initial and on-going sample program, Access will be able to utilize the medical education aspects of the iMedicor system to further inform doctors about oral mucositis and MuGard, and to accelerate commercial uptake in the U.S. market."
"After many months of planning, we look forward to assisting Access Pharma with its introduction of MuGard on a national level," said Fred Zolla, CEO of iMedicor. He continued, "MuGard represents a potential blockbuster product that could significantly improve the quality of life for patients undergoing certain cancer treatments. iMedicor's ability to deliver essential information from a trusted source to specific physician audiences will significantly increase Access Pharma's marketing ROI."
"Our collective efforts have led to the positive acceptance of the first phase sampling program throughout the DMS network," commented Marian Bartosiewicz, CEO of DMS. She continued, "We are pleased to be part of the introduction of a product like MuGard that can offer measurable relief to patients undergoing radiation and chemotherapy."
The market for the treatment of oral mucositis, expanding to include all patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy, is estimated to be in excess of $5 billion worldwide. iMedicor and DMS will share in a portion of the revenue as sales are developed within North America. 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.
About iMedicor:
iMedicor is the only HIPAA-compliant solution for interoperable health information transfer that is offered to physicians, healthcare providers and patients at no cost. The iMedicor portal enables disparate EMR (electronic medical record) systems to communicate, collaborate and exchange records in real time; pharmaceutical companies to deliver customized educational marketing programs to more than 730,000 healthcare providers nationwide in a highly targeted, cost-effective and non-intrusive manner. More information on iMedicor is available at www.imedicor.com.
About Direct Medical Solutions
DMS provides a one-stop shopping network of "Best of Breed" ancillary, medical and operational strategies to complement healthcare businesses. Along with recent expansion into wellness and preventive health as the need to adopt preventative strategies grows in future healthcare, the DMS network of products offers innovative ways to improve the bottom line of a healthcare practice. DMS' approach is that of an advisor, analyzing key practice attributes and workflow to customize a plan for services to compliment and integrate into core business operations. By implementing a "One Stop Shopping" business model and integrating technology designed to move healthcare in the direction of "Meaningful Use", practices can meet the demands of the new regulations, increase revenue, while enhancing patient satisfaction.
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(TM), currently in Phase II 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 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: clinical trial plans and timelines and clinical results for ProLindac and product candidates acquired in the MacroChem transaction, our ability to execute licensing agreements in the future, Access' plans to continue and initiate clinical trials, the value of its products in the market (including MuGard and the size of the overall market for mucositis products), 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.
Contact: Company Contact: Investor Relations ---------------- --------------------------- Donald C. Weinberger/Diana Bittner Christine Berni (media) Director of Investor Relations Wolfe Axelrod Weinberger Assoc. LLC Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (212) 370-4500 (212) 786-6208
SOURCE Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
