First-in-man clinical study of ACOU0085 in patients with age-related hearing loss

With its first clinical study underway, Acousia is taking significant strides towards achieving its goal of developing novel medicines that enhance and preserve natural hearing for patients with SNHL.

Acousia develops small molecule drug candidates as a first-line treatment for patients in need of immediate, high, and localized drug exposure to help preserve their hearing. Following the CTA (Clinical Trial Authorization) from the German BfArM (Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices), Acousia has commenced its first clinical study of ACOU085 in patients with age-related hearing loss. Furthermore, the next generation of drug candidates are already in the early stages of development.

Our therapy approach is a dual mode of action that is suitable for both acute and chronic hearing loss and strives to both enhance and preserve a patient’s natural hearing ability. The different chemical makeups of our small drug molecules, as well as their modes of administration, are specifically designed to target acute, permanent, and progressive sensorineural hearing loss.

Pipeline and programs

Acousia is developing a series of small molecule drug candidates for local and systemic treatment of different forms of hearing loss. While the first ACOU085 clinical study in patients with age-related hearing loss started in January 2022, next generation drug candidates are being thoroughly characterized in a range of both specialized and standard preclinical models and assays.

Indication

Cisplatin induced hearing loss

Aminoglycoside ototoxicity

CI surgery hearing preservation

Sudden SNHL

Discovery

In-vivo Poc

Preclinical

Phase I

Phase II

Acute otoprotection/prevention of hearing loss

Cisplatin induced hearing loss

Discovery

ACOU085

In-vivo Poc

Preclinical

Phase I

Phase II

Aminoglycoside ototoxicity

Discovery

ACOU085

In-vivo Poc

Preclinical

Phase I

Phase II

CI surgery hearing preservation

Discovery

ACOU085

In-vivo Poc

Preclinical

Phase I

Phase II

Sudden SNHL

Discovery

ACOU085

In-vivo Poc

Preclinical

Phase I

Phase II

Age-related hearing loss

Chronic hearing loss

Hearing aid synergistic enhancement

Chronic noise overexposure

Chronic hearing enhancement and preservation

Age-related hearing loss

Discovery

ACOU082

In-vivo Poc

Preclinical

Phase I

Phase II

Chronic hearing loss

Discovery

ACOU082

In-vivo Poc

Preclinical

Phase I

Phase II

Hearing aid synergistic enhancement

Discovery

ACOU082

In-vivo Poc

Preclinical

Phase I

Phase II

Chronic noise overexposure

Discovery

ACOU082

In-vivo Poc

Preclinical

Phase I

Phase II

Hearing enhancement/preservation

Early Stage

Hearing enhancement/preservation

Discovery

n/a

In-vivo Poc

Preclinical

Phase I

Phase II