InfectoPharm Invests in AudioCure to Advance Innovative Hearing Loss Therapy

HEPPENHEIM, Germany & BERLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb 13, 2025--

There is currently no drug approved worldwide for the treatment of sudden hearing loss. However, preclinical and clinical phase-1-studies with the innovative drug candidate AC102 have been promising.AudioCure Pharma, a Berlin-based start-up supported by investors, is driving forward research and development. Now,InfectoPharm, a successful medium-sized company, is joining as a new and essential competence partner.The Heppenheim-based ENT specialist is leading the new round of financing and is strengthening the existing group of investors, which includes main investorMED-ELand seed investorHigh-Tech Gründerfonds(HTGF). The main goal of the collaboration is to successfully advance the clinical development of AC102, a drug for sudden hearing loss.

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The investors are not only providing AudioCure with financial support for the development of new drugs, but are also expanding its knowledge base with their respective scientific and commercial expertise. MED-EL Medical-Electronics and InfectoPharm Arzneimittel are contributing their extensive expertise gained from over 30 years in the ENT field. Dr Reimar Schlingensiepen, CEO of AudioCure, is delighted: ‘AudioCure and its partners complement each other perfectly. Together, we can advance our research and development activities even further and develop innovative active ingredients. We are also pleased to now have InfectoPharm's many years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry on board.’

The additional funds will mainly be used for the further development of the drug candidate AC102. This has already been successfully tested for tolerability and safety in humans and is currently being investigated in a Europe-wide phase-2-study for its efficacy in sudden hearing loss patients. In preclinical models of hearing loss, AC102 was able to restore hearing almost completely, exceeding the efficacy of conventional corticosteroid therapies. Philipp Zöller, managing partner of InfectoPharm Arzneimittel und Consilium GmbH, comments: ‘As a specialist in pharmaceutical products for ear, nose and throat conditions, we are very familiar with the difficult situation of sudden hearing loss patients. We are therefore delighted to be able to support the development of a potentially groundbreaking drug like AC102, both financially and with our expertise, as part of the AudioCure investor team.’

Investors in the current financing round with AudioCure Management. From left to right: Philipp Zöller (CEO InfectoPharm), Prof Hans Rommelspacher (founder AudioCure), Dr Reimar Schlingensiepen (CEO AudioCure), Dr Ingeborg Hochmair (CEO MED-EL) and Dr Christian Kannemeier (Senior Investment Manager HTGF). Copyright: AudioCure.

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Mitch Marner had three goals and two assists and the Golden Knights scored three times in the third period to defeat the Calgary Flames 6-3 on Thursday night.

It was the sixth time in Marner's career that he had at least five points in a game and the first since also having five (one goal, four assists) for Toronto against Boston on Jan. 4, 2025.

Ivan Barbashev had a goal and and two assists, Mark Stone had an assist for his 700th career point and Pavel Dorofeyev added to his club record with his 19th power-play goal this season and 35th overall. Shea Theodore recorded two assists, including the 300th of his career with the team.

Carter Hart, who was activated off injured reserve earlier Thursday, stopped 19 shots in his first start since Jan. 8.

Blake Coleman scored twice for the Flames and Morgan Frost had the other goal. Dustin Wolf made 28 saves.

The Golden Knights are five points ahead of Los Angeles and San Jose for the third and final Pacific Division playoff spot. Vegas is three points behind division leaders Anaheim and Edmonton.

Flames defenseman Zach Whitecloud received a video tribute at the first timeout of the opening period. He became emotional, patted his heart and waved to the fans, who roared at the return of one of the more beloved players in franchise history. He was with the Golden Knights since the 2017-18 season and became a regular three years later.

The Golden Knights traded Whitecloud to Calgary on Jan. 18 for Rasmus Andersson.

Calgary took the lead three times before Vegas answered with the equalizer each time, with the game tied at 3 entering the second intermission.

The beginning of the third period was delayed more than 20 minutes because of an issue with a spot on the ice.

Flames: Play at Anaheim on Saturday.

Golden Knights: Play at Edmonton on Saturday in a crucial Pacific Division matchup.

AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/hub/NHL

Calgary Flames defenseman Zach Whitecloud, center, salutes the fans during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Vegas Golden Knights, Thursday, April 2, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Candice Ward)

Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Carter Hart (79) stops a shot behind Calgary Flames left wing Joel Farabee (86) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 2, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Candice Ward)

Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mitch Marner (93) skates with the puck against Calgary Flames defenseman Zach Whitecloud (28) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 2, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Candice Ward)

Calgary Flames center John Beecher (18) celebrates after his goal with defenseman Zayne Parekh (19) during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Vegas Golden Knights, Thursday, April 2, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Candice Ward)

Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mitch Marner (93) celebrates his goal with teammates against the Calgary Flames during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 2, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Candice Ward)