Manchester BRC in unique collaboration to accelerate the development of hearing loss treatments
Manchester BRC Hearing Health Lead Kevin Munro has welcomed the launch of the “Hearing Medicines Discovery Syndicate,”a unique collaboration to accelerate the much-needed development of treatments for hearing loss and tinnitus.
Almost 12 million people in the UK are affected by hearing loss. However, there are no registered pharmaceutical treatments for hearing loss or tinnitus. Recent scientific developments in the understanding of the biology underlying hearing loss are beginning to address this issue. The opportunity to advance treatments for patients is now accelerating as never before.
The “Hearing Medicines Discovery Syndicate” is led by the charity Action on Hearing Loss and Medicines Discovery Catapult. It will connect researchers and companies to the vital expertise and infrastructure needed to fast-track the development of hearing therapeutics. For companies new to the field, or academic groups with limited experience of drug discovery and clinical development, the Syndicate brings together the relevant expertise to allow them to rapidly connect with the specific support they need to drive the development of new hearing therapeutics.
The Syndicate will work in partnership with the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) through the Biomedical Research Centres (BRCs) with leading academic expertise in hearing research from Manchester BRC, University College London Hospitals BRC, Nottingham BRC and, and the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult.
We are very pleased to be part of this exciting new pilot. It is another example of how the Hearing Health theme at Manchester BRC is working closely with the other hearing BRCs, charities and organisations, to increase hearing health research and improve outcomes for people with hearing loss.
Professor Kevin Munro, Manchester BRC Hearing Health theme lead.
Dr Alessandra Gaeta, Syndicates Programme Director at Medicines Discovery Catapult, said:
“The Hearing Medicines Discovery Syndicate brings together partners that provide unique knowledge, expertise and specialised networks to accelerate research in hearing therapeutics. We are motivated to support innovators through their journey of bringing new therapeutics to the clinic in this area of unmet need.”
To connect with the Hearing Medicines Discovery Syndicate, or to find out more, visit the website.