Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has received notification from the European Patent Office that an additional European patent for MuGard has been granted.  The patent (EP1997478) protects a wide range of liquid formulations for the prevention and treatment of mucosal diseases and disorders.  Notification of the grant was published in the European Patent Bulletin no. 13/36 earlier this month.

"This second patent for MuGard in the EU provides us with additional protection of the mucoadhesive liquid technology that forms the basis of MuGard," noted Dr David Nowotnik, senior vice president research and development, Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc. "The new patent also provides us with additional protection of formulations which could form the basis of potential MuGard line extension products."

MuGard provides the oral muscosa with a thin protective hydrogel layer which has been demonstrated in several clinical studies of mucositis to benefit patients in terms of reduced pain and discomfort as well as a reduction in objective mucositis scores.

"Our new patent in Europe expands and strengthens our MuGard patent portfolio, and we anticipate that current and future formulations of MuGard might also benefit patients with various other ulcerative conditions with the oral cavity such as oral lichen planus," commented Jeffrey Davis, President and CEO of Access. "We continue to actively seek a European marketing partner for MuGard, where MuGard has achieved market clearance and is indicated for the prevention and management of oral mucositis."

MuGard Mucoadhesive Oral Wound Rinse is an oral mucoadhesive that is designed to manage oral mucositis by forming a protective hydrogel coating over the oral mucosa to shield the membranes of the mouth and tongue. In Europe, MuGard is indicated for the prevention 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.

Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is an emerging biopharmaceutical company that develops and commercializes proprietary products for the treatment and supportive care of cancer patients.