A promising new drug candidate for sudden hearing loss, AC102, is progressing through clinical trials with new backing from the pharmaceutical company InfectoPharm. AudioCure Pharma, a Berlin-based biotechnology start-up, has been making strides in the research and development of treatments for hearing loss, and now, a vital partnership will propel this progress even further.
In a major development, InfectoPharm, a successful medium-sized company based in Heppenheim, has joined forces with AudioCure in a fresh round of investment. The collaboration aims to drive forward the clinical development of AC102, which has already demonstrated positive results in preclinical and phase-1 clinical studies.
There is currently no approved drug for sudden hearing loss, a condition that can strike without warning and cause irreversible damage. The emergence of AC102 as a potential treatment offers hope to those affected. Sudden hearing loss, which can be triggered by a variety of factors including infections and trauma, can lead to permanent hearing impairment if not treated promptly. The new drug candidate has shown significant potential to restore hearing in preclinical models, even surpassing the effects of existing corticosteroid therapies commonly used to treat the condition.
Philipp Zöller, CEO of InfectoPharm, expressed his excitement about the collaboration, saying: “As specialists in ear, nose, and throat (ENT) treatments, we understand the gravity of sudden hearing loss and the urgent need for innovative solutions. We are pleased to support AudioCure in advancing AC102, both financially and with our deep expertise in ENT pharmaceuticals.”
AudioCure’s CEO, Dr Reimar Schlingensiepen, welcomed InfectoPharm’s involvement. He noted that the partnership would strengthen the company’s position in the competitive pharmaceutical market, stating: “AudioCure and its partners complement each other perfectly. Together, we can significantly accelerate our research and development activities, creating breakthrough treatments. InfectoPharm’s extensive experience in the pharmaceutical industry is invaluable in our pursuit of this goal.”
AC102 has already been shown to be well-tolerated and safe in humans during phase-1 trials. The drug is now undergoing further investigation in a phase-2 study across Europe to assess its efficacy in treating sudden hearing loss. This progress has been possible with the support of other key investors, including MED-EL, a leader in medical electronics, and High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), who have supported AudioCure’s efforts from the outset.
The new funds raised from the latest investment round will be primarily allocated to the continued development of AC102. With the addition of InfectoPharm’s financial and scientific backing, the future of this potential treatment is looking brighter. This collaboration represents a critical step in tackling a serious medical issue that has long been without an effective solution.
The development of AC102 is expected to benefit not only those who experience sudden hearing loss but also the broader ENT community, which continues to search for better therapies for hearing-related conditions.
