About

Otonomy was founded by Avalon Ventures and experts in the otology field in order to build the premier company dedicated to the treatment of otic disorders via localized drug delivery. This approach has already been widely adopted for the delivery of short-acting antibiotics to treat otitis media through a tympanostomy tube. In addition, otolaryngologists have demonstrated that the injection of steroids into the middle ear cavity can provide a therapeutic effect for patients with acute inner ear disorders such as Ménière’s Disease and sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Expansion of this effort holds great promise for the treatment of chronic hearing loss, severe vertigo, and even tinnitus.

The key to Otonomy's leading position in this nascent field is the development of a sustained release formulation platform that provides extended dosing from a single administration. Broad applicability of this technology has already been established across a number of therapeutic classes and from these, two products have been advanced into active development. OTO-104 is a sustained release formulation of a steroid which is relevant for a wide range of hearing loss and balance disorders. A clinical trial of OTO-104 is underway in Ménière’s Disease patients and future studies are anticipated for acute hearing loss. OTO-203 is a sustained release anti-infective in development as a treatment for otitis media.

Both OTO-104 and OTO-203 are covered by an extensive patent estate filed by Otonomy to broadly protect the delivery of sustained release drug treatments for otic disorders.