Q Biomed Extends EOA with Washington U

Q BioMed Inc. is extending its option agreement with Washington University in St. Louis, granting the exclusive right to license its technology. Q BioMed will continue to evaluate the feasibility and usability of GDF15, 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 agreement allows for more extensive evaluation on the feasibility and usability of GDF15 as a novel biomarker for glaucoma and companion diagnostic to Q BioMed’s exclusively licensed technology, MAN-01.

The clinical study will examine whether GDF-15 levels correlate with glaucoma severity and with adequate therapeutic response in patients undergoing glaucoma surgery. A primary goal of glaucoma surgeries is reducing IOP, as elevated IOP contributes to RGC death and vision loss. It will also record IOP measured before surgery and at the follow-up. IOP measurement is done at each visit as part of usual care of the patient. These independent studies will provide valuable insights regarding the role of GDF-15 that can inform future clinical studies.

Denis Corin, Q BioMed’s chief executive officer said, “We are very pleased to be taking this project one step further.  We believe that Q BioMed is uniquely positioned to address the marketable demand for novel, breakthrough, precision medicine tools to treat glaucoma.  This GDF-15 diagnostic, combined with our MAN-01 drug to treat glaucoma, will be a powerful combination: improving the decision-making tools for clinicians, while making a positive impact on the health of glaucoma patients.”