Acousia Therapeutics Reports Positive Phase 2a Results for ACOU085

In a study of testicular cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, the experimental drug ACOU085 successfully mitigated hearing loss caused by cisplatin. The Phase 2a PROHEAR trial indicates that the small molecule, administered via transtympanic injection, provides a protective effect against the damage typically inflicted on the inner ear during standard cancer treatments.

The clinical trial evaluated 6 mg doses of ACOU085 against a placebo in patients receiving 300 mg/m² of cisplatin. While over 90% of participants experienced some level of ototoxicity in the high-frequency range, those treated with the drug showed a measurable prevention of pure-tone audiometry threshold increases. This suggests that the molecule, which functions by activating Kv7.4 potassium channels, preserves the integrity of outer hair cells in the cochlea.

Professor Hubert Löwenheim, who oversaw the study at Tübingen University Medical Center, noted that the results validate Kv7.4 modulation as a viable strategy to address hearing loss where current medical devices fall short. Acousia Therapeutics plans to present these findings at the upcoming BIO International Convention in San Diego to explore further development partnerships. The company is currently finalizing post-hoc evaluations for submission to a peer-reviewed journal.