DOYLESTOWN, Pa., Feb. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Quigley Corporation today announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary Quigley Pharma's QR-435 antiviral formulation demonstrates antiviral activity against Ocular and Genital Herpes in pre-clinical studies at a well known and recognized United States University, indicating a new research and development path for the versatile antiviral compound. The company is currently negotiating with the University to undertake further trials.
The studies were designed to determine the in vitro inhibitory activity of QR-435 vs. two ocular isolates of Herpes Simplex Virus - 1 (HSV-1) and 2 non-ocular isolates of Herpes Simplex Virus - 2 (HSV-2).
The pre-clinical studies of QR-435 demonstrated reproducible potent direct antiviral activity against an ocular isolate of HSV-1. It also demonstrated similar potent direct antiviral activity against a second similar ocular isolate of HSV-1 and multiple clinical genital isolates of HSV-2.
Edwin Keates, M.D. Northern Ophthalmic Associates, Inc., a member of Quigley Pharma's Medical Advisory Board stated, "After review of the impressive results of these in vitro studies, QR-435 appears to be an excellent candidate for further research as an anti-herpes drug for both the treatment of ocular HSV-1 and genital HSV-2."
Dr. Richard Rosenbloom, Quigley Pharma's Chief Operations Officer added, "We are pleased with the progress of QR-435. Continued research is required to confirm the compound's safety and efficacy profiles."
The Quigley Corporation makes no representation that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or any other regulatory agency will grant an IND or take any other action to allow the aforementioned compound to be studied or marketed. Furthermore, no claim is made that the potential medicine discussed here is safe, effective, or approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
The Quigley Corporation is the leading developer and marketer of diversified health products. The company's proven success in launching first- in-category health solutions supports the Pharma subsidiary in its efforts to develop strong pharmaceutical compounds targeting diverse conditions such as diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis with naturally derived compounds and botanicals.
About The Quigley Corporation
The Quigley Corporation , (http://www.Quigleyco.com) is a leading developer and marketer of diversified health products including the COLD-EEZE(R) family of patented zinc gluconate glycine (ZIGG(tm)) lozenges and sugar free tablets. In October of 2004, The Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Quigley Manufacturing, Inc. acquired two FDA approved facilities to manufacture its COLD-EEZE(R) branded lozenges. InnerLight Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary, was formed in December 2000 for the purpose of introducing new products to the marketplace through a network of independent distributors. In addition to Over-The-Counter (OTC) products, the Company has formed Quigley Pharma Inc. (http://www.QuigleyPharma.com), a wholly owned ethical pharmaceutical subsidiary, to introduce a line of naturally derived patented prescription drugs. The Quigley Corporation's customers include leading national wholesalers and distributors, as well as independent and chain food, drug and mass merchandise stores and pharmacies.
Certain statements in this press release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and involve known and unknown risk, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the company's actual performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statement. Factors that impact such forward-looking statements include, among others, changes in worldwide general economic conditions, changes in interest rates, government regulations, and worldwide competition.
CONTACT: Media Investor Relations Karen Pineman Carl Hymans G.S. Schwartz & Co. G.S. Schwartz & Co. 212-725-4500 212.725.4500 kpineman@schwartz.comcarlh@schwartz.com
Quigley CorporationCONTACT: Media: Karen Pineman, +1-212-725-4500, kpineman@schwartz.com, orInvestor Relations: Carl Hymans, +1-212-725-4500, carlh@schwartz.com, bothof G.S. Schwartz & Co., for Quigley Corporation
