NEW YORK, February 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --
Q BioMed Inc. (OTCQB: QBIO), is pleased to announce an exclusive option agreement with Washington
University in St. Louis. Under the agreement granting the exclusive right to license the
technology, Q BioMed will evaluate the feasibility and usability of GDF-15, a novel biomarker for monitoring glaucoma, as a
companion diagnostic to the MAN-01 small molecule currently being optimized for the topical treatment of glaucoma.
"The ophthalmology in general and glaucoma sector specifically are currently in an active consolidation and business
development cycle. Having access to a truly innovative technology that compliments ours as a companion diagnostic could greatly
enhance the value of the Mannin Research MAN-01 technology. We are excited to evaluate this technology and look forward to a new
collaborative partnership with a leading institution like Washington University School of Medicine,"
said Denis Corin, CEO of Q BioMed, Inc.
Glaucoma is one of the leading cause of blindness worldwide, estimated to affect nearly 100 million people by 2020. The
disease is linked to the buildup of pressure within the eye. Such intra-ocular pressure can damage the optic nerve. If the damage
progresses, glaucoma can lead to permanent vision loss. Progression of glaucoma is typically monitored through a visual field
test, but there has not been a reliable way to measure which patients have a high risk of rapid vision loss.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St.
Louis have identified a marker of damage to cells in the eye that potentially could be used to monitor progression of the
disease and the effectiveness of treatment. Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) is a member of the transforming growth
factor (TGF-beta) superfamily and was recently identified as a promising biomarker for glaucoma.
The researchers discovered GDF15 to be a biomarker for glaucoma using an array analysis, which identified chemokines, growth
factors, TGF-beta family members and other ligands whose expression increased in the optic nerve crush model of glaucoma but not
in endotoxin-induced uveitis or light-induced retinal degeneration models. They also validated GDF15 in both rat models of
glaucoma and in patients, showing that its expression correlates with disease severity. Overall, GDF15 represents an attractive
biomarker for glaucoma with distinct advantages (i.e., early detection) over conventional clinical tests and has the potential to
be a first-in-class diagnostic test. The researchers' findings were published online May 4, 2017 in
the journal JCI Insight.
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About Washington University School of Medicine in St.
Louis
Washington University School of Medicine's 2,100 employed and volunteer faculty physicians also
are the medical staff of Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Children's hospitals. The School of Medicine is one of the leading medical
research, teaching and patient-care institutions in the nation, currently ranked seventh in the nation by U.S. News & World
Report. Through its affiliations with Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Children's hospitals, the School of Medicine is linked to BJC
HealthCare.
About Q BioMed, Inc.
Q BioMed, Inc. is a biomedical acceleration and development company. We are focused on licensing and acquiring biomedical
assets across the healthcare spectrum. Q BioMed is dedicated to providing these target assets the strategic resources,
developmental support and expansion capital they need to ensure they meet their developmental potential, enabling them to provide
products to patients in need.
Forward-Looking Statements:
This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933
and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such statements include, but are not limited to, any statements relating
to our growth strategy and product development programs and any other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking
statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could negatively affect
our business, operating results, financial condition and stock price. Factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those currently anticipated are: risks related to our growth strategy; risks relating to the results of research
and development activities; our ability to obtain, perform under and maintain financing and strategic agreements and
relationships; uncertainties relating to preclinical and clinical testing; our dependence on third-party suppliers; our ability
to attract, integrate, and retain key personnel; the early stage of products under development; our need for substantial
additional funds; government regulation; patent and intellectual property matters; competition; as well as other risks described
in our SEC filings. We expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any
forward looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in our expectations or any changes in events, conditions or
circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law.
Contact:
Denis Corin
CEO
Q BioMed Inc.
+1-888-357-2435
SOURCE Q BioMed Inc.