DOYLESTOWN, Pa., Jan. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Quigley Pharma, www.QuigleyPharma.com, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Quigley Corporation announced positive results from a study evaluating its anti-viral compound QR-441(a) in embryonating egg and VERO E6 cell test models. The preliminary study demonstrated QR-441(a) as a potential antiviral agent in reducing Infectious Bronchitis and New Castle Disease, two viral poultry diseases that have a significant economic impact to the poultry industry on an annual basis. Previous in vitro studies have demonstrated QR-441(a) to be a potent antiviral agent against H5N1 (Avian Flu).
Dr. Richard Rosenbloom, EVP/COO of Quigley Pharma stated that, “The value of a broad spectrum antiviral addressing multiple viral pathogens in poultry stocks increases the potential utility of the compound for routine commercial application as well its use in the event of more serious H5N1 (Avian Flu) outbreaks.”
The study was conducted after receiving industry and veterinary thought leader feedback indicating a need for a well tolerated broad spectrum antiviral agent against both Infectious Bronchitis Virus (IBV) and Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV), two pathogens which constantly threaten commercial poultry stocks.
The placebo-controlled studies were conducted under the direction of Dr. Mark Jackwood Professor, Department of Avian Medicine, University of Georgia with collaboration from Dr. Tim Cummings Professor, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University. The study was designed to examine the effects of previously established maximum non-toxic concentrations and lower 10-fold serial dilutions of the QR-441(a) compound against the Beaudette strain of IBV and the B1/B1 strain of NDV in VERO E6 cell and embryonating egg models.
The results showed that a 1X10-3 dilution of QR-441(a) was effective in reducing the titer of IBV 100-fold and of NDV 5-fold in VERO E6 cells. The placebo did not reduce the titer of either virus. In a second living system embryonating egg study, a 100-fold reduction in titer was observed for IBV treated with QR-441(a) at a 1X10-3 and lower dilutions. A similar reduction in titer was observed for NDV treated with undiluted QR-441(a). The antiviral affect of QR-441(a) appears to be similar against both viruses at lower dilutions. Higher dilutions of QR-441(a) may also have measurable affects against NDV. In addition, observations of embryos exposed to virus showed signs of viral infection where as embryos exposed to virus treated with QR-441(a) did not show clinical signs of infection.
These preliminary data indicate that further study is warranted and that QR-441(a) may have potential in treating and or preventing Infectious Bronchitis and New Castle Disease. The company will be preparing experiments to validate the significance of this data in a challenge study in chickens. Studies will be designed around previously established positive medical feed tolerability data. In addition, the company will also look to conduct experiments to establish feed conversion related data.
The Quigley Corporation makes no representation that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or any other regulatory agency will issue an investigational new animal drug number or allow this compound to be marketed for NDV or IBV. Furthermore, no claim is made that the potential medicine discussed here is safe, effective, or approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
About The Quigley Corporation
The Quigley Corporation is a diversified natural health medical science company. Its Cold Remedy segment is a leading marketer and manufacturer of the COLD-EEZE(R) family of lozenges, gums and sugar free tablets clinically proven to cut the common cold nearly in half. COLD-EEZE(R) customers include leading national wholesalers and distributors, as well as independent and chain food, drug and mass merchandise stores and pharmacies. The Quigley Corporation has four (4) wholly owned subsidiaries. Darius International markets health and wellness products through its wholly owned subsidiary, InnerLight Inc. Quigley Manufacturing Inc. consists of two FDA approved facilities to manufacture COLD-EEZE(R) lozenges as well as fulfill other contract manufacturing opportunities. Quigley Pharma Inc. (http://www.QuigleyPharma.com) conducts research in order to develop and commercialize a pipeline of patented botanical and naturally derived prescription drugs.
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
The Quigley Corporation
CONTACT: Investor Relations: Carl Hymans, carlh@schwartz.com, or Media:Karen Pineman, kpineman@schwartz.com, both of G.S. Schwartz & Co,+1-212-725-4500
