Q BioMed Inc. provide an update on its partner asset MAN-19 for the treatment of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, a condition caused by viral infections in the lungs including COVID-19. The MAN-19 therapeutic is a recombinant fusion protein that treats the patient, instead of targeting the virus. It is not a cure for COVID, but it strengthens a patient's blood vessels and protects them against ARDS, breathing problems, sepsis and other infections that may cause the body's organs to begin shutting down. It is designed to keep COVID patients out of the ICU and off a ventilator. Initial manufacturing and preclinical testing has shown promise, and pending upcoming toxicology testing, the drug is poised for clinical trials to start in 2022. If the drug proves both safe and effective, goal is to have it available for use by patients by early 2023. The market for this kind of treatment in the current pandemic climate is substantial and global. COVID-19 is not going away any time soon. As a result, there is a need to develop more effective treatments. QBioMed believes that licensing and milestone revenue opportunities for this and related indications in kidney and ophthalmological diseases are possible in the next few months. Conservative estimates based on milestones could reach $200 million over the next 24 months. Partnering with other companies in Canada and Europe, and with the support of what is expected to be more than $20 million USD in funding from Q BioMed and other non-dilutive sources, has resulted in an accelerated drug development timeline. Q BioMed has committed approximately $10 million to the development of the Tie2 platform in exchange for a 50% residual interest in any profits generated from the sale or sub-licensing of the assets, including other candidates for diseases such: glaucoma, kidney diseases, and cardiovascular disease.