Episode 16: The Sound of Science — Otonomy

Hey there!

Very few commercial drug companies focus on hearing disorders. Even fewer focus on tinnitus. Otonomy does both. In this episode of the Tinnitus Talk Podcast, we spoke with David Weber (PhD), President and CEO, and Alan Foster (PhD), Chief Scientific Officer.

They shared their views on what they see as the “renaissance” of hearing research and how there is currently more investor appetite to address hearing issues. We discussed why Otonomy is not only seeking solutions for different kinds of hearing loss, but also tinnitus specifically. The interview covers each of the company’s drugs in-depth, from its mechanism of action to commercialization plans.

For our Patrons, we also have a video version of this interview. Support our work!



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Listen on:

• Tinnitus Talk Podcast (incl. timestamps and transcript)
  
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We welcome any discussion, but please keep the following in mind when commenting:

• Off-topic comments, i.e. not directly responding to the content of the podcast, will be removed. So please do listen before commenting!
• While we welcome constructive criticism on ideas or policies, we do not tolerate direct attacks on individuals.

This episode was produced by @Markku and @Hazel, with the support from the following volunteers: @FGG, @Andrea Rings, and @AfroSnowman. Do you want to volunteer as well? Let us know!

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Very interesting, thank you! Hopefully something good comes out soon.

 

A bit devastating when they talk about OTO-313 and chronic tinnitus becoming central, as opposed to peripheral. Wasn't this what Rauschecker was talking about?

I would also have liked to hear their thoughts about OTO-413 and hearing regeneration resolving tinnitus.

Nevertheless, thank you for putting this out!!!

 

You are very much appreciated @Hazel and I thank you and the other guys who do the work.

I've only had a chance to skim over it but I will tune in for a proper listen.

I'm starting to think avenues affecting the brain may be the way to go for a treatment for tinnitus. We will see how these companies investigating that pathway get on... the search continues!

 

According to the various theories and studies on the subject, the majority of tinnitus is central (DCN, auditory cortex), you are right.

But that doesn't mean they're "stuck" in the brains.

To declare tinnitus as "stuck" is to deny cerebral plasticity. And we know that cerebral plasticity is at the origin of tinnitus.

Solving the initial problem should improve symptoms, perhaps the neuromodulation / Kv7 2.3 modulator could help this process.

 

I quote you: "which would mean that resolving the original cause no longer helps"

For me that means: "treating hearing loss (if there is one) will not cure your tinnitus"

If I misinterpreted your words, I apologize. But there are still too many people talking about this 'it's stuck in the head' theory, destroying any hope of seeing a cure one day.

 

Yeah, the brain is what creates this crap. Why not look at ways to short out the electrical pulses the brain creates, then sends to the eardrum and cochlea to be translated back as music or words etc...

Technically speaking it's not hallucinogenic, since it is created by the brain, it's physical, just not heard by anyone else but us.

So yeah, why not treat the brain with something that can short this stuff out?

Since I can't hear well, I am reading the transcript of this Tinnitus Talk Podcast. Very interesting.

I've always had trouble hearing in crowded places. I've never been able to tune out the background noise and that may be part of my problems now? I've had not chemotherapy so to speak, but I've had cancer treatments and those may have contributed to my hearing loss and MES (Musical Ear Syndrome) that I have?

I wish I could put a wire in my brain and hook it up to a listening device and let people hear what I hear. They'd freak out! Seriously mine's so weird, paranormal and supernatural are what would come to people's minds if they could hear this stuff I hear 24/7.

CT and MRI scans show nothing so the only other option I have now is an EEG. I truly hope it finds something for if it doesn't, I'm left with paranormal activity since I am not crazy not schizophrenic!

The thing that gets me is MES is not psychotic in any way but the main treatment is antidepressants that I believe started mine to begin.

But reading the transcript, OTO-313 and the rest of Otonomy's work seem promising!

 

It might be possible that you will need to fix more than the 'original/underlying' cause of tinnitus in order to overcome it.

I do however question why when we see other causes of issues relating to nerves etc in the body resolved, such as by treating burns or when you have hips replaced for example (both which have supported and verified research to back this), that the same scenario could not happen for tinnitus.

The thing that I think we are all going to agree on is the fact that at this stage we simply do not know one way or the other.

 

You have obvious hearing issues. How can you say this is a brain thing?

 

Have you not read up on MES i.e. Musical Ear Syndrome? If not, I recommend you research it, for it's the brain that causes the music and or other noise people hear. Yes, lack of hearing is the beginning but it's the brain with lack of hearing that causes this mess. The brain needs that feedback from hearing and when it's not getting it, it creates its own.

Plus I'm not saying it's a brain thing, but that the brain does create this mess. The brain is a powerful tool and weapon and can create all kinds of mess. Plus I believe mine wasn't totally due to hearing loss for I had lived with hearing loss for years until I began to take Gabapentin which is what I believe caused my MES. I've now been living with MES for almost a year.

Gabapentin in my own research is guilty of causing visual and auditory hallucinations. Its effect on my brain, along with my left ear's history of misinterpreting what I thought I heard helped cause the musical hallucinations I hear now.

Right now I need something to short this crap out which is the electrical impulses that are making this music crap I hear. Regeneration of the cochlear is a good idea but may not stop this crap I hear now and may make it worse if the brain isn't treated too!

I never said it wasn't a hearing issue but the effects of the hearing issue are brain-related. OR at least what I read on, so going off that.

 

Otonomy patents may be second or third for value in biotech. Old retired MIT researcher friend is up to date on the research references in this article and added new references from those. He thinks that Otonomy will be the leader in helping those with hearing loss and tinnitus. I probably won't be around to know.

I expect the company to do an INT offering in the hundreds of millions within 2 years that will support price and get Wall Street attention.

It's the references that's important and new university study references from those can be requested.

Otic Drug Delivery Systems: Formulation Principles and Recent Developments

 

Thanks Greg. I don't want to drag this thread into investor talk, but what does INT offering mean?

 

When an institution such as ones holding shares below (partial holding list) buys an offering of shares at a fixed price to give company working capital.

Institution Name Shares Held % Outstanding - Otonomy
Baker Bros. Advisors LP 7,694,038 13.57 Increased holdings
Federated Hermes Global Investment Management Corp. 4,856,200 8.57
Adage Capital Management, L.P. 4,000,000 7.06 Increased holdings
RA Capital Management, LP 3,092,294 5.46 Increased holdings
The Vanguard Group, Inc. 2,442,617 4.31

Drug delivery will take time, but from article I posted above - lots of study going on as seen in the many article references. Most encouraging is that one can follow these references for updates, but it would involve emailing. I know one retired MIT researcher involved with this and he favors Otonomy over Frequency Therapeutics. All too much for me to tag as I have lots of physical problems, but last year, I did email a few selected references for updates. Not interested in stock prices. If you are young or middle age there's much hope. I literally pray for you.