MED-EL has acquired two gene therapy programs from Rescue Hearing that target genetic disorders associated with mutations in the MYO7A and STRC genes; the MYO7A program is aimed at a genetic cause of balance disorders and the STRC program targets a genetic cause of hearing loss in patients commonly managed with hearing aids.
Under the agreement, MED-EL obtained full rights to further develop, advance and potentially commercialize both programs, and financial terms were not disclosed.
The acquisition expands MED-EL’s research and development into gene-based therapeutic approaches to complement its implantable and non-implantable hearing solutions.
MED-EL emphasizes that these programs are intended to augment, not replace, its core technologies, according to the company.
Dr Hinrich Staecker will serve as chief scientist to advance the two programs. Rescue Hearing developed the MYO7A and STRC programs, the company claims, and both organizations said they will continue to cooperate on development.
