Quigley Pharma, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Quigley Corporation, has obtained positive results for its QR-443 compound for the treatment of Cachexia, a debilitating and life threatening muscle wasting condition. The results of an animal study found a 75 per cent efficacy rate in the treatment of mice with this condition.
The results of the study clearly indicated that 75 per cent of the tested mice injected with 5 mg of QR- 433 were protected from Cachexia and did not exhibit any significant weight loss compared to untreated control animals, which exhibited a 15Â25 per cent weight loss at the end of the experiment.
Cachexia, an extremely debilitating and life threatening condition, is a loss of weight, muscle wasting, fatigue, weakness and decrease of appetite, which occurs in wasting diseases such as cancer, AIDs, chronic renal failure, advanced aging and rheumatoid arthritis. Increases in the blood levels of the cytokines IL-6, TNF-a and INF-y have been thought to play a major role in Cachexia.
QR-443 is an all natural broad spectrum anti-inflammatory compound, which is being concurrently studied as a drug for Rheumatoid Arthritis (under the designation QR-440) in humans and dogs. QR-443 has been shown in previous pre-clinical studies to inhibit the production of TNFa and IFN gamma, and reducing other inflammatory cytokines associated with Cachexia. This is a significant and extremely positive development, as systemic inflammation has also been associated with poor prognosis in patients with cancer.
The QR-443 study was undertaken by Prof. Yacov Ron of the Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.
Dr Richard Rosenbloom, Chief Operating Officer, Quigley pharma, stated, "The significant findings of the study are sufficient to continue to the next stage of the drug development process. We plan to investigate the possibility of fast track status with the FDA. Alternatively, due to the importance of these findings, the company may consider launching this product as a neutraceutical."
The Quigley Corporation makes no representation that the US FDA or any other regulatory agency will grant an Investigational New Drug ("IND") or take any other action to allow its formulations to be studied and for any Investigational New Drug to be marketed. Furthermore, no claim is made that potential medicine discussed herein is safe, effective, or approved by the FDA. Additionally, data that demonstrates activity or effectiveness in animals or in vitro tests do not necessarily mean the formula test compound; referenced herein will be effective in humans. Safety and effectiveness in humans will have to be demonstrated by means of adequate and well controlled clinical studies before the clinical significance of the formula test compound is known. Readers should carefully review the risk factors described in filings the company files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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 family of lozenges, gums and sugar free tablets clinically proven to cut the common cold nearly in half.