Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Announces Agreement With Block Drug Company for the International Rights to Amlexanox.DALLAS--(BW HealthWire)--June 4, 1998--Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (OTC/BULLETIN BOARD:AXCS AXCS Senior Chief Aviation Antisubmarine Warfare Technician (Naval Rating) ) today announced that it has signed an agreement to license from Block Drug Company the rights to amlexanox oral paste 5% for all markets excluding The United States, Japan and Israel. Amlexanox oral paste 5% is currently marketed in The United States by Block Drug Company under the trademark Aphthasol(TM). Aphthasol(TM) was launched to the dental market in December 1997 and will be launched to general practice physicians in June 1998. Amlexanox oral paste 5% was jointly developed by Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Block Drug Company and subsequently purchased by Block Drug Company with Access receiving royalty payments. Aphthasol(TM) is the only prescription drug prescription drug Prescription medication Pharmacology An FDA-approved drug which must, by federal law or regulation, be dispensed only pursuant to a prescription–eg, finished dose form and active ingredients subject to the provisos of the Federal Food, Drug, approved by the FDA FDA abbr. Food and Drug Administration FDA, n.pr See Food and Drug Administration. FDA, n.pr the abbreviation for the Food and Drug Administration. for the treatment of aphthous ulcers, a condition reported in at least 20% of the general population. Market research in the U.S. indicates that approximately 33% of this group experience continued episodes of the condition and are candidates for this product. Initial indications are that the product is being well received by dentists. Under the terms of the agreement with Block Drug Company, Access will share in the revenues generated from international licensing activities and Access will assume the international responsibility for licensing, regulatory approval and new product development. Certain regulatory and development costs will be shared. Commenting on the agreement, Kerry Gray, president and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of Access Pharmaceuticals, stated, "Access is committed to maximizing the revenue from this opportunity by aggressively outlicensing this product and developing new line extensions. The near-term revenues to be generated from this opportunity will contribute to the realization of our objective of becoming a profitable emerging pharmaceutical company." Access has commenced initial development activities to expand the product line for amlexanox products. These developments include alternative delivery vehicles and line extensions to further improve patient benefits. Regulatory activities have commenced in the U.K., where it is anticipated that the product license application will be submitted prior to the end of June. This is the first step towards achieving European Community registration. Upon approval of the product in the U.K., a dossier will be submitted to the centralized European authority for review, with the U.K. acting as the sponsor country. Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a site-directed drug targeting company using bioresponsive drug carriers to target and control the release of therapeutic agents into sites of disease activity and clear the non-targeted drug fraction. Block Drug Company (Nasdaq:BLOCA) is a worldwide marketer and manufacturer of denture denture, artificial replacement for natural teeth and surrounding tissue. Dentures are classified as partial or complete. The former are removable and maintained by clasps, or are fixed bridges with crowns cemented over adjacent teeth or over spikes embedded in the care products, oral health care products, consumer over-the-counter medicines and professional dental products. Among the Company's brands are the Polident(R) line of denture cleansers; Poli-Grip(R) denture adhesives; Sensodyne(R) desensitizing de·sen·si·tize tr.v. de·sen·si·tized, de·sen·si·tiz·ing, de·sen·si·tiz·es 1. To render insensitive or less sensitive. 2. Immunology To make (an individual) nonreactive or insensitive to an antigen. toothpastes; Phazyme(R) anti-gas; Beano Beano™ Gastroentrology A deflatulent with simethicone added to beans deemed hyperflatulogenic; Beano's enzymes digests raffinose and stachyose, carbohydrates for which humans have no enzymes. See Beans, Flatulence. (R) dietary supplements; Balmex(R) diaper rash Diaper Rash Definition Dermatitis of the buttocks, genitals, lower abdomen, or thigh folds of an infant or toddler is commonly referred to as diaper rash. ointments; Nytol(R) sleep aides and Lava(R) hand soaps. This press release contains certain statements that are forward-looking and that involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to the uncertainties associated with research and development activities, regulatory approvals, future capital requirements Capital requirements Financing required for the operation of a business, composed of long-term and working capital plus fixed assets. , anticipated option and licensing revenues, dependence on others, collaborations and other risks detailed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K Form 10-K A report required by the SEC from exchange-listed companies that provides for annual disclosure of certain financial information. Form 10-K See 10-K. for the year ended December 31, 1997.
CONTACT: Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Dallas
Kerry P. Gray, 214/905-5100
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