Akouos develops gene‑therapy treatments for inherited hearing loss, using proprietary adeno‑associated virus vectors to deliver functional copies of defective genes directly to inner‑ear cells. Their platform combines precision, minimally invasive delivery with biomarker‑driven patient selection to restore or preserve auditory function, targeting otolaryngologists, audiologists, and pharmaceutical partners.
Funding
$105M raised to dateRaised to date based on public sources. This may differ from the amount the company actually raised and is based only on what is publicly available on the internet.
1OPBFounders
Product
Problem
Patients with genetic hearing loss have limited treatment options, as current therapies do not address the underlying molecular causes of the condition.
Solution
Akouos develops gene therapy solutions that target the root genetic mutations responsible for hearing impairment. By using viral vectors to deliver functional copies of defective genes directly to inner ear cells, the platform aims to restore or preserve auditory function. The approach leverages precision delivery techniques to ensure targeted treatment while minimizing systemic exposure. Clinical programs are designed to evaluate safety and efficacy in patients with specific hereditary forms of deafness.
Target Audience
Primary customers are otolaryngologists, audiologists, and healthcare providers treating patients with inherited forms of hearing loss, as well as pharmaceutical partners seeking to commercialize gene therapies for auditory disorders.
Features
- Proprietary adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors optimized for inner ear transduction
- Gene replacement constructs tailored to common hereditary hearing loss mutations
- Minimally invasive delivery methods for precise administration to cochlear cells
- Integrated preclinical and clinical development pipeline with regulatory expertise
- Biomarker-driven patient selection to match therapy to genetic profile