Quigley Pharma's QR-441 compound sprayed on respiratory mask air filters has been tested against avian influenza virus (H5N1) and human influenza virus (H3N2). The QR-441 impregnated masks prevented up to 99% of the viruses whereas the masks not treated with QR-441 had the ability to prevent up to 90% of the viruses passing through. More important and significant findings show that the QR-441 compound proved to deactivate the live viruses passing through these filters. Deactivation of live viruses in a range of 95.1 to 98.7% was observed in these studies.

The study took place at Retroscreen Virology, Queen Mary's School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of London, in the UK, under the direction of Professor John Oxford and Dr. Rob Lambkin. Under GLP (Good Laboratory Practice) compliance conditions, commercially available respiratory face masks were impregnated with the company's all-natural, anti-viral QR-441 formula, states company release.

Quigley Pharma's Charles A. Phillips, senior vice president said, "If there is an outbreak of avian flu in our US human population, initially it will be easier to distribute the formula as a spray to be used on the exterior of commercially available masks than to develop and distribute a new style mask using the compound. In an emergency situation, the spray formula's increased ability to stop the virus from penetrating these masks may help reduce viral transmission."

Phillips continued, "In addition, we can develop new types of active masks utilising the same technology designed for viral use."

Availability of this spray to the public could be insured through the Quigley Corporation's extensive Cold-Eeze retail distribution system already in place.

The company is pursuing several development plans with all relevant government agencies and private organisations for various levels of approval for government healthcare and poultry workers for a possible avian influenza outbreak preparedness programmes, industry poultry-care workers for avian influenza outbreak situations requiring the slaughter and disposal of infected birds and clean-up operations, emergency medical type masks, such as surgical or procedure masks, as well as isolation face masks and homeland security applications for high-risk situations.

The Quigley Corporation is the leading developer and marketer of diversified health products. The company, first-in-category health solutions, develops strong pharmaceutical compounds targeting diverse conditions such as diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis with naturally derived compounds and botanicals.