Release issued 14th January 2003

DALLAS, TEXAS, January 14, 2003, ACCESS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. (AMEX: AKC) today announced that executed Amlexanox Licensing Agreements could generate approximately $6.7 million in licensing fees, milestone payments and research support payments. Payments under these Agreements have already commenced, with approximately $5.2 million remaining to be received, principally based on milestone achievements. Access has licensed marketing rights to amlexanox for the treatment of canker sores in the European Union (other than Austria), Scandinavia, the Baltic States, Canada, Brazil, Columbia and Switzerland.

Commenting on the status of the Company's amlexanox program, Kerry P. Gray, President and CEO of Access, stated "We have accomplished our objective of licensing amlexanox throughout Europe prior to product approval. We are very pleased that the product has attracted quality licensing partners who have the ability to market the product effectively and are willing to make the necessary investment to maximize product revenues. Although the upfront and milestone licensing revenues are meaningful to the Company, the potential royalty stream from these license agreements is expected to be significantly more lucrative and important given the product sales projections of our licensing partners. The Company expects to receive a substantial amount of revenue from amlexanox over the next 18 months."

Last year, Access announced the acquisition from GlaxoSmithKline of the amlexanox United States product rights as well as the remaining fifty percent international rights not previously owned. Commencing in the fourth quarter 2002, Access began recognizing revenues from amlexanox as a result of this acquisition. Over the next 15-18 months, Access anticipates revenues from executed licensing agreements and United States activities to generate approximately $4 million. Expanding licensing activities to include all major markets worldwide could further increase this projection.

Mr. Gray, continued, "Amlexanox and Zindaclin are now generating revenue streams which can offset a significant portion of the development expenses of our exciting new technologies, including polymer platinate and our mucositis technology. We anticipate that an additional product will be launched in the upcoming 12 months which will further contribute to offsetting development expenses."

Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is an emerging pharmaceutical company focused on developing both novel low development risk product candidates and technologies with longer-term major product opportunities. Access markets Aphthasol®, the only FDA-approved product for the treatment of canker sores, and is developing products for mucositis and other dermatological indications. Access is also developing unique polymer platinates for use in the treatment of cancer and has developed, in conjunction with its partner Strakan, Ltd., the marketed product Zindaclin®, which utilizes ResiDerm®, our topical zinc delivery system that provides rapid delivery and reservoir of a drug in the skin.

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, clinical trials, our ability to raise capital, the integration of acquired companies and technologies, the timing of regulatory approvals, dependence on others to market out licensed products, collaborations, future cash flow, the timing and receipt of licensing and milestone revenues, the future success of the Company's marketed products Aphthasol® and Zindaclin® and products in development including polymer platinate, OraDiscTM and our Mucositis technology, our ability to manufacture amlexanox products in commercial quantities, our sales projections and the sales projections of our licensing partners, our ability to achieve licensing milestones and other risks detailed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001, and other reports filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

(14th January 2003) ACCESS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. TO CONDUCT CONFERENCE CALL - Company To Discuss Today's Announcements

(14th January 2003) ACCESS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. SIGNS AMLEXANOX LICENSING AGREEMENT WITH ZAMBON GROUP

(19th December 2002) ACCESS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC., ANNOUNCES ZINDACLIN® RECEIVES APPROVAL IN EIGHT ADDITIONAL EUROPEAN MARKETS - Additional License Agreements Executed

(11th December 2002) ACCESS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. ANNOUNCES BOARD APPOINTMENT

(26th November 2002) ACCESS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. ENTERS NEXT PHASE OF CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT FOR AP5280 - Program Continues To Generate Encouraging Data