A preclinical biotechnology company

Preventative auditory medicine
Stopping hearing loss before it begins.

StagePreclinical
ModalitySmall molecule
IndicationsFour
HQSan Diego, CA
The problem

Hearing loss is the most modifiable risk factor for dementia, and the most ignored.

Annual cost · global
$750B
Annual economic cost of unaddressed hearing loss worldwide.
Population at risk
1.5B
People globally living with some degree of hearing loss. Over one billion at risk.
Dementia link
+20%
Increase in Alzheimer's Disease risk for every 10 dB of hearing loss.
Thesis
A new
category of
medicine.

Protect the inner ear before damage is done. One mechanism. Four indications.

  1. 01Cisplatin-induced ototoxicityWatch video
  2. 02Aminoglycoside-induced loss
  3. 03Noise-induced hearing loss
  4. 04Age-related hearing loss
Mechanism

An AMPK activator that preserves synaptic connectivity in auditory hair cells.

A small molecule AMPK activator, delivered locally to the inner ear. Unlike covalent binders, it preserves oncologic efficacy and the patient's hearing.

  • Target
    AMPK · nuclear kinase activation
  • Delivery
    Intratympanic, local to the cochlea
  • Modality
    First-in-class small molecule
Origins

Grounded in world-class research from four founding institutions.

Team

Built by leaders in auditory medicine, oncology, and chemistry.

Rick Friedman, MD, PhD

Rick Friedman, MD, PhD

Chairman Professor of Surgery and Neurosurgery — UCSD Vice Chair of Otolaryngology

Rob Friedman

Rob Friedman

CEO

Andre Hoelz, PhD

Andre Hoelz, PhD

Professor of Chemistry — Caltech Heritage Medical Research Institute Investigator

Vish Krishnan, PhD

Vish Krishnan, PhD

Professor of Management and Engineering Entrepreneurial Leadership UCSD

Steven Olson, PhD

Steven Olson, PhD

Executive Director of Medicinal Chemistry Sanford Burnham Prebys

Reuben Shaw, PhD

Reuben Shaw, PhD

Professor Molecular and Cell Biology, William R. Brody Chair, Salk Institute