Frequency Therapeutics — Hearing Loss Regeneration

I haven't encountered this theory. Can you point me to what was said exactly?
I think it was @Danad who said it but I could be wrong. It was a while back & don't know the exact words but I think the argument was that while just about everyone has some degree of hearing loss, not everyone has tinnitus.

So there must be a certain point at which the brain starts the feedback loop that is tinnitus, which would probably vary from individual to individual.
 
Exactly... they must have had a terrible salesman / sales pitch to screw that up so badly!

A good idea / product is not enough. You must be able to sell it.
Not sure what the story is here. It seems like the Department of Defense alone would be interested enough to get it through trials. It was originally named 'the bomb blast pill', after all.
 
Exactly... they must have had a terrible salesman / sales pitch to screw that up so badly!

A good idea / product is not enough. You must be able to sell it.
Well the early history of the Hough Pill is a bit muddy to me. They did have a partner, Otologic Pharmaceuticals (local to Oklahoma) but it seems like the partner didn't prioritize the pill for some reason or didn't have the experience Oblato has. I wonder if it has to do with the pill being tried (unsuccessfully) on stroke victims first. It's very unclear what happened but Oblato seems to be working towards more clear goals with the drug at least.
 
I think it was @Danad who said it but I could be wrong. It was a while back & don't know the exact words but I think the argument was that while just about everyone has some degree of hearing loss, not everyone has tinnitus.

So there must be a certain point at which the brain starts the feedback loop that is tinnitus, which would probably vary from individual to individual.
I agree that there is a certain amount of (especially sudden) damage that tends to cause tinnitus in everyone but it appears to still be specific to the damaged frequencies.

Check out the Dr. Will Sedley thread for an alternate theory proposed by a researcher to answer the question why some people get tinnitus to the same trauma and some don't:

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/thread...edictive-brain-processing-for-tinnitus.39303/
 
Yes, I made that confusing... I think the technology to diffuse through the round window is groundbreaking...
Great explanation, thanks :)
The ability to diffuse through the round window isn't all that groundbreaking (biotech has done this for a while now) but imo what is is when you add a surfactant to the vehicle to ensure that your substance continues to move forward without resistance to the apex of the cochlea.

Penetrance after round window diffusion has unfortunately been the sticking point for many a compound. The good news is that both Otonomy and Pipeline have done this, and confirmed that can reach sub 100 Hz - so it is indeed very possible to achieve.

Here's hoping that when Frequency reformulates they add something similar. Most of my damage is sub 4000 Hz with stuff as low as 50 Hz :(
 
I'm glad there are companies like Astellas willing to fund a potential product. I like the way they could come up with an agreement with Frequency Therapeutics without losing too much money if the clinical trials fail. They are basically paying Frequency Therapeutics with each successful phase in the clinical trials.
I don't believe that's quite how it works.

As I understand it, Frequency Therapeutics raised venture capital and went public. Astellas is a partner.
 
Ya it's mind blowing, I don't understand how any drug as revolutionary as the Hough Pill is purported to be could stall in limbo for so freaking long due to funding. You'd think there'd be a much greater impetus to get that shit to market. At least Frequency/Otonomy/Pipeline seem to have much better financial steam behind them, despite being for-profit.
More likely, because being for-profit.

It's only after Hough entered into partnerships with for-profit pharmaceutical companies that they seem to be moving forward.
 
The current version they are using now is similar to what ENTs use to inject people ear for Ménière but they are trying to find a way to make sure the substance can go further down in the round window to make sure they restore all frequencies of people's hearing.
When an improved delivery method becomes available, would it be possible to receive FX-322 a second time?
 
The ability to diffuse through the round window isn't all that groundbreaking (biotech has done this for a while now) but imo what is is when you add a surfactant to the vehicle to ensure that your substance continues to move forward without resistance to the apex of the cochlea.

Penetrance after round window diffusion has unfortunately been the sticking point for many a compound. The good news is that both Otonomy and Pipeline have done this, and confirmed that can reach sub 100 Hz - so it is indeed very possible to achieve.

Here's hoping that when Frequency reformulates they add something similar. Most of my damage is sub 4000 Hz with stuff as low as 50 Hz :(
I'm just hoping there's some sort of way for them to reformulate without going through a year-long trial. Like maybe if they use ingredients that are already proven safe?

It seems like Frequency/Astellas might have the inner/outer hair cell regeneration market all to themselves for a few years if they manage to penetrate deeper into the cochlea.
 
I think it was @Danad who said it but I could be wrong. It was a while back & don't know the exact words but I think the argument was that while just about everyone has some degree of hearing loss, not everyone has tinnitus.

So there must be a certain point at which the brain starts the feedback loop that is tinnitus, which would probably vary from individual to individual.
A question was asked about whether FX-322 would reduce tinnitus and this was my reply:

"If your hair cell damage and corresponding tinnitus is > 6000Hz, I would say very high. As they are doing multiple consecutive dosages in the current study we may see lower frequencies restored with deeper diffusion levels. It may be for some that only a small threshold improvement might be sufficient to "turn off" the brain's maladaption of tinnitus."

To clarify the small threshold improvement relates to decibels at the offending frequencies. The 6000Hz was in Frequency Therapeutics' graphic of the drug's diffusion.

My experience was that jet engines gave me hearing loss but no tinnitus, until a concert nudged me a few decibels lower resulting in tinnitus.

This all being supposition until 2a is unblinded.
 
The ability to diffuse through the round window isn't all that groundbreaking (biotech has done this for a while now) but imo what is is when you add a surfactant to the vehicle to ensure that your substance continues to move forward without resistance to the apex of the cochlea.

Penetrance after round window diffusion has unfortunately been the sticking point for many a compound. The good news is that both Otonomy and Pipeline have done this, and confirmed that can reach sub 100 Hz - so it is indeed very possible to achieve.

Here's hoping that when Frequency reformulates they add something similar. Most of my damage is sub 4000 Hz with stuff as low as 50 Hz :(
I hope Frequency pushes to reformulate to get maximum penetration and results for their drug.
Do you think it's likely they are doing that? Or is it too late now and they can't meddle with the drug concoction any more for FDA reasons?
 
Why have we been so unlucky to get tinnitus and hyperacusis when we damage our ears whereas others who damage their ears only get hearing loss.

This is so unfair.
 
A question was asked about whether FX-322 would reduce tinnitus and this was my reply:

"If your hair cell damage and corresponding tinnitus is > 6000Hz, I would say very high. As they are doing multiple consecutive dosages in the current study we may see lower frequencies restored with deeper diffusion levels. It may be for some that only a small threshold improvement might be sufficient to "turn off" the brain's maladaption of tinnitus."

To clarify the small threshold improvement relates to decibels at the offending frequencies. The 6000Hz was in Frequency Therapeutics' graphic of the drug's diffusion.

My experience was that jet engines gave me hearing loss but no tinnitus, until a concert nudged me a few decibels lower resulting in tinnitus.

This all being supposition until 2a is unblinded.
Who were you able to contact at Frequency? That's awesome you got a response.
 
Does anyone know if you get injected with FX-322 if it starts the regrowing hair cells process straight away or would it only regrow during sleep?
 
Does anyone know if you get injected with FX-322 if it starts the regrowing hair cells process straight away or would it only regrow during sleep?
Good question.
How long is the drug active for? Would shots 2 days apart be better than 1 week apart?
What's the best timing?

I had a funny thought yesterday of getting a shot and then going to an amusement park and getting on a ride similar to a centrifuge. You could create an awesome vacuum and suck the drug deep into the cochlea. Weird... I know.
 
Good question.
How long is the drug active for? Would shots 2 days apart be better than 1 week apart?
What's the best timing?

I had a funny thought yesterday of getting a shot and then going to an amusement park and getting on a ride similar to a centrifuge. You could create an awesome vacuum and suck the drug deep into the cochlea. Weird... I know.
It would be nice if the drug worked straight away. I would assume the best time to get the shot is just before bed so it has time to regrow during sleep but we would all have appointments at different times so it's not possible.
 
It would be nice if the drug worked straight away. I would assume the best time to get the shot is just before bed so it has time to regrow during sleep but we would all have appointments at different times so it's not possible.
I have no idea about what times and protocols to maximize the effects of the injection are recommended. Does it work right away? How long is it active for?

John Adams had received countless IT PRP shots and had ideas how to do that procedure effectively. Some of the stuff carries over. I imagine, like not swallowing while you let the injection diffuse, but as far as timing...? Maybe the morning is best, and stay in a room on the premises for a few hours lying on your side.

Perhaps somebody with more knowledge could weigh in

Would be nice to ask Frequency Therapeutics these questions about procedure as well.
Would 6 shots be better than 4?

Many questions... which is awesome.
 
I have no idea about what times and protocols to maximize the effects of the injection are recommended. Does it work right away? How long is it active for?

John Adams had received countless IT PRP shots and had ideas how to do that procedure effectively. Some of the stuff carries over. I imagine, like not swallowing while you let the injection diffuse, but as far as timing...? Maybe the morning is best, and stay in a room on the premises for a few hours lying on your side.

Perhaps somebody with more knowledge could weigh in

Would be nice to ask Frequency Therapeutics these questions about procedure as well.
Would 6 shots be better than 4?

Many questions... which is awesome.
Those are some very good questions. I know for a fact in the Phase 2a clinical trials they are basically doing 1 shot per week. With Phase 1b it was just 1 shot but they basically recorded the progression from Day 0, Day 30, Day 60 and Day 90 and what they found out was it was still working its magic in Day 90 so it seems like its effects last a long time.
 
Does anyone know if you get injected with FX-322 if it starts the regrowing hair cells process straight away or would it only regrow during sleep?
Based on the phase 1/2 info, improvement continues over the course of months. Are you asking this because intestines regenerate while you sleep? Since the chemical signals are being injected into you vs excreted by your own body I wouldn't think so, but it doesn't really matter. Don't get hung up on tiny details.
 
Thanks for the replies, everyone. I realize we're discussing hypotheticals, but it's still reassuring to know that FX-322 could possibly be administered again later down the line.
 
I hope Frequency pushes to reformulate to get maximum penetration and results for their drug.
Do you think it's likely they are doing that? Or is it too late now and they can't meddle with the drug concoction any more for FDA reasons?
@FGG knows more about this than myself. From what I understand they cannot change their current formulation without starting over from scratch (ie: go back to phase 1) because of the FDA's IND Protocol. Right now their IND filing is for this formulation and this formulation alone, and all clinical trials through phase 3 have to be completed using it.

But -

Once the drug is FDA approved they can apply for some sort of extension which says basically "hey this is approved already but we want to tweak the formulation without having to do another 10 years of trials."

The FDA then says "Cool fam, do another year of safety trials with the new formulation and barring any crazy side effects you should be good to go."

So those of us with low frequency OHC/IHC will have to wait another year or so after market release if all goes well. That's why I'm really hoping most of my low frequency stuff is synaptic so I can get OTO-413 and be done with it.
 
@FGG knows more about this than myself. From what I understand they cannot change their current formulation without starting over from scratch (ie: go back to phase 1) because of the FDA's IND Protocol. Right now their IND filing is for this formulation and this formulation alone, and all clinical trials through phase 3 have to be completed using it.

But -

Once the drug is FDA approved they can apply for some sort of extension which says basically "hey this is approved already but we want to tweak the formulation without having to do another 10 years of trials."

The FDA then says "Cool fam, do another year of safety trials with the new formulation and barring any crazy side effects you should be good to go."

So those of us with low frequency OHC/IHC will have to wait another year or so after market release if all goes well. That's why I'm really hoping most of my low frequency stuff is synaptic so I can get OTO-413 and be done with it.
Exactly. You can't change your formation once you start the trial process but, once approved, there is a short process (about a year or so) to get a subsequent reformulation approved where you prove the reformulation "does what it says."
 
@FGG knows more about this than myself. From what I understand they cannot change their current formulation without starting over from scratch (ie: go back to phase 1) because of the FDA's IND Protocol. Right now their IND filing is for this formulation and this formulation alone, and all clinical trials through phase 3 have to be completed using it.

But -

Once the drug is FDA approved they can apply for some sort of extension which says basically "hey this is approved already but we want to tweak the formulation without having to do another 10 years of trials."

The FDA then says "Cool fam, do another year of safety trials with the new formulation and barring any crazy side effects you should be good to go."

So those of us with low frequency OHC/IHC will have to wait another year or so after market release if all goes well. That's why I'm really hoping most of my low frequency stuff is synaptic so I can get OTO-413 and be done with it.
Seems crazy that it's automatically another year of trials regardless of the nature of the reformulation... I mean if the drug itself is the same what gives? Sigh.

Part of me is wondering if since we already have another year of trials (phase 2b) to go for FX-322, if Frequency won't go ahead and do the safety trial for the new formula at the same time they are doing phase 2b for the current one.

They did hire those specialists after all, and if it's true that other treatments already penetrate deep into the cochlea, it seems like it wouldn't take them long to formulate the new delivery vehicle.

Also when might we expect approval for OTO-413? I checked that thread but it didn't seem super clear.
 

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