PRESS RELEASE 1-31-2006

ACCESS NEWS

Contact: Company Contact: Investor Relations
Stephen B. Thompson Donald C. Weinberger
Vice President & CFO Wolfe Axelrod Weinberger LLC
(214) 905-5100 (212) 370-4500

ACCESS PHARMACEUTICALS RECEIVES
NOTICE OF AMEX DELISTING

DALLAS, TEXAS, January 31, 2006, ACCESS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. (AMEX: AKC)
today announced its receipt of an American Stock Exchange ("AMEX") Listing
Qualifications Department determination denying the Company's appeal of
an AMEX Staff Determination on December 12, 2005 which found that the
Company failed to comply with AMEX's continued listing standards due
to losses from continuing operations and/or net losses in two of its
most recent fiscal years with shareholders' equity of less than $2
million, as set forth in Section 1003(a)(i) of the AMEX "Company Guide";
due to losses from continuing operations and/or net losses in three of
its most recent fiscal years with shareholders' equity of less than $4
million, as set forth in Section 1003(a)(ii) of the Company Guide; and
due to losses from continuing operations and/or net losses in four of
its most recent fiscal years with shareholders' equity of less than $6
million, as set forth in Section 1003(a)(iii) of the Company Guide. As
a result, Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc.'s common stock is expected to
be delisted from AMEX effective with the open of business on
Wednesday, February 1, 2006.

Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc.'s quotation for its common stock is expected
to appear in the


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Access Pharmaceuticals, inc.
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"Pink Sheets" under the trading symbol "AKCA" on or about February 1,
2006. Access also expects that its common stock will be quoted in the
future on the OTC Bulletin Board, provided that a market maker files the
necessary application with the NASD and such application is cleared.

While the delisting determination is obviously disappointing, we continue
to actively seek to close a financing, merger or licensing option.

Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is an emerging pharmaceutical company
developing unique polymer linked cytotoxics for use in the treatment of
cancer. Its lead product AP5346 is in Phase II clinical testing. The
Company also has other advanced drug delivery technologies including
vitamin-mediated targeted delivery and oral drug delivery.

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, including but not limited
to statements made relating to our listing on the American Stock Exchange,
our expected quotation in the Pink Sheets and possible future quotation on
the OTC Bulletin Board as well as our activity seeking financing, merger
or licensing. These statements are subject to numerous risks, including but
not limited to the risks detailed in the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, Quarterly Report on Form 10-
Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 and other reports filed by us
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


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