These observations resulted in the filing of a New Investigational Drug (IND) application for a recombinant human surfactant Protein D (rhSP-D) formulation administered as a therapeutic agent for patients with severe COVID-19 with respiratory failure, as well as the initiation of a Phase 1B study this therapy, that is currently enrolling patients (NCT 04659122 http://www.ClinicalTrials.gov). This evidence concerns the gene SFTPD and respiratory failure.