Contact:
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|
| Gerard Gleeson |
Carl Hymans |
| Vice President, CFO |
G.S. Schwartz & Co. |
| (215) 345-0919 |
(212) 725-4500 |
| |
carlh@schwartz.com |
Quigley Announces Completion of Phase IIb Clinical Study Of QR-333
For Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy On November 25, 2008
DOYLESTOWN, PA. - November 25, 2008 - The Quigley Corporation (Nasdaq: QGLY)
a wholly-owned subsidiary of The
Quigley Corporation (NASDAQ: QGLY) announced today that the last subject in the Phase IIb
Study is scheduled to complete treatment on November 25, 2008. This will effectively move the
study to the final stage of data collection, evaluation and study conclusions. The Company, after
collecting all the patient information from 21 Study centers and conferring with its panel of
experts on the data, will draft and report study conclusions, as soon they are available.
The Phase IIb study is designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of QR-333, a unique topical
formulation designed to offer physicians and patients an effective, easy to administer, safe
treatment for diabetic peripheral neuropathy with little to no side effects. To date there is no
fully effective treatment for diabetic neuropathy. Current treatment options are limited to
products such as NSAIDs, analgesics, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, etc., which are often not
well tolerated by patients.
The Company believes that a safe and efficacious topical product, if approved by the FDA, could
be a "first line" treatment for diabetic peripheral neuropathy and possibly could develop a
significant market position in a growing therapeutic category currently dominated by systemic
therapies.
Currently in the United States, there are approximately 20,000,000 people with diabetes. Of this
population, nearly one half has or will develop symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. Diabetic
neuropathy is among the most common complications of diabetes, resulting in pain and
numbness, which affects the patienti's sleep, functioning and well being. The pain is often
accompanied by unpleasant sensations of buzzing, burning or jolting.
The Phase IIb trial will evaluate the safety and efficacy of QR-333, applied three times daily as
compared to placebo-treated patients over 12 weeks. Efficacy will be determined by Symptom
Assessment Scores; a Visual Analogy Scale (VAS); Quality of Life and Sleep Questionnaires.
Safety will be determined by medical history; physical examination; vital signs, laboratory tests
and nerve conduction studies
QR333 Investigation Chronology:
April 2003; Quigley receives first U.S patent; "METHOD AND COMPOSITION FOR
THE TOPICAL TREATMENT OF DIABETIC NEUROPATHY."
April 2003; Quigley announces safety and positive results from proof of principal,
efficacy and safety trial, "A MULTICENTER, DOUBLE BLIND SAFETY STUDY OF
QR333 FOR THE TREATMENT OF SYMPTOMATIC DIABETIC PERIPHERAL
NEUROPATHY," in France.
June 2005; Published results of proof of principal study in Journal of Diabetes and Its
Complications, "A MULTICENTER, DOUBLE BLIND SAFETY STUDY OF QR333
FOR THE TREATMENT OF SYMPTOMATIC DIABETIC PERIPHERAL
NEUROPATHY A PRELIMINARY REPORT."
September 2005; Quigley conducts Investigators meeting and prepares for Pharmacokinetic
Study-003 followed by Phase IIb Safety and Efficacy Study-002 in humans in the U.S.,
pending issuance of IND number from FDA.
April 2006; Quigley receives IND No. 67,168 from FDA.
August 2006; Quigley receives second U.S patent; "METHOD FOR THE TOPICAL
TREATMENT OF SMALL FIBER NEUROPATHIES."
September 2006; Quigley reports positive data from Study-003, "SINGLE CENTER,
DOSE ESCALATING, SAFETY, TOLERABILITY, AND PHARMACOKINETICS
STUDY OF QR-333 IN SUBJECTS WITH DIABETIC PERIPHERAL
NEUROPATHY."
December 2006; Quigley announces commencement of Study-002, "PHASE II STUDY
OF QR-333 FOR THE TREATMENT OF SYMPTOMATIC DIABETIC PERIPHERAL
NEUROPATHY."
August 2008; Quigley receives third U.S patent; "METHODS FOR THE TREATMENT
OF PERIPHERAL NEURAL & VASCULAR AILMENTS."
About QR333:
Concentrated and standardized nutrient based active compounds dosed in a topical cream
designed to reduce oxidative stress and treat symptoms of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy, a
nerve disorder that can lead to numbness, skin ulcers, constant pain or extreme sensitivity to a
stimulus.
The Quigley Corporation makes no representation that the US Food and Drug Administration or
any other regulatory agency will allow this Investigational New Drug to be marketed.
Furthermore, no claim is made that potential medicine discussed herein is safe, effective, or
approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
About The Quigley Corporation
The Quigley Corporation (NASDAQ: QGLY, http://www.Quigleyco.com) 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. COLD-EEZE 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 wholly owned subsidiaries; Quigley
Manufacturing Inc. consists of two FDA approved facilities to manufacture COLD- EEZE®
lozenges as well as fulfill other contract manufacturing opportunities and Quigley Pharma Inc.
(http://www.QuigleyPharma.com) conducts research in order to develop and commercialize a
pipeline of patented botanical and naturally derived potential prescription drugs.
Forward-Looking Statements
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.
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