ERLANGEN, Germany & BERLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul 3, 2025--
The novel compound AC102 almost completely reversed tinnitus in a preclinical model after a single dose. At the same time, the damaged connections between the auditory nerve and inner ear sensory cells were restored. These findings were recently published in the prestigious International Journal of Molecular Sciences in a joint study conducted by Erlangen University Hospital and Berlin-based drug developer AudioCure. As there is currently no causal treatment for tinnitus, there is a high medical need.
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In the current study, AC102 was administered to the middle ear of one experimental group after acoustic trauma, while a second group received a placebo. Although both groups initially showed signs of tinnitus, they nearly disappeared in the AC102 group after five weeks – in clear contrast to the placebo group. Additionally, the AC102 group showed significantly less loss of synaptic connections between the inner ear and the auditory nerve than the placebo group. This damage is considered to be a potential cause of tinnitus: “Our results suggest regeneration of inner ear structures that are critical for tinnitus and could be an important milestone and a glimmer of hope for a causal treatment of tinnitus,” says the study's first author, Dr. Konstantin Tziridis from Erlangen University Hospital.
About two-thirds of sudden hearing loss patients also suffer from tinnitus, which persists in around 30% of cases. Although 10-15% of adults experience tinnitus, no effective causal treatment exists. AC102 has the potential to become a new treatment option. In a preclinical acoustic trauma model, it almost completely reversed sudden hearing loss. Since tinnitus often accompanies sudden hearing loss, AudioCure is investigating AC102’s potential efficacy also against tinnitus in its ongoing study. AudioCure's CEO, Dr. Reimar Schlingensiepen, emphasizes: "Constant ear noise caused by tinnitus can be even more stressful for many patients than the hearing loss itself. With AC102, we hope to eventually have an effective remedy for both conditions. This would be a great relief for patients and doctors who have no approved drug treatment available at present." AC102 has already been tested for safety and tolerability in a clinical study and is currently being examined in a Europe-wide Phase-2-study in patients for its effectiveness in sudden hearing loss and tinnitus.
In 10-20% of tinnitus cases, the noise in the ear is so severe that it significantly impairs the quality of life of those affected. (Source: AI-generated)
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Denise Powell won the Democratic primary in Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District on Wednesday in a contest focused on the state’s “blue dot” status in presidential elections.
The Omaha-area district, where Republican U.S. Rep. Don Bacon is retiring, is one of Democrats' biggest targets this midterm season. It’s also a national focus every four years in presidential contests because Nebraska is one of just two states that splits its electoral votes. The 2nd District has gone to Democratic presidential candidates three out of five times since 2008 — a “blue dot” in an otherwise sea of red.
Powell, a political activist, defeated state Sen. John Cavanaugh and several other candidates in the Democratic primary. She and Cavanaugh were in a tight race that could not be called Tuesday.
Powell will face Brinker Harding, an Omaha City Council member endorsed by President Donald Trump. He ran unopposed in Tuesday’s GOP primary.
“This country and Nebraska are worth fighting for — and I’m ready to spend the next six months working for every vote and sharing my vision for Nebraska so we can finally have a representative in Congress who will serve us,” Powell said in a statement. “It’s time to be brave.”
The matchup between Powell and Harding is expected to be among this fall’s most competitive House races, as Democrats try to win control of the chamber for the second half of Trump's term.
The 2nd District is one of just three districts in the country that supported Democrat Kamala Harris for president in 2024 while also electing a Republican representative. Trump won the district in 2016, and the retiring Bacon, who has clashed with Trump, has held the House seat for five terms.
Powell, who is Latina, co-founded Women Who Run Nebraska, a political action committee that supports progressive female candidates, and she has a decade of Democratic political activism. She had the backing of EMILY's List and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus' campaign operation.
Powell has never held office but said her deep connections have helped her with independents and third-party voters, who make up nearly 30% of the district’s electorate.
Some Democratic critics argued that a Cavanaugh primary victory would have jeopardized the district’s “blue dot” status because he’d be leaving his valuable state legislative seat, making it easier for Republicans in the Nebraska Legislature to change the law that allows the state to split its electoral votes.
Peoples reported from New York.
State Sen. John Cavanaugh, candidate for the Democratic nomination to the House of Representatives in Nebraska's second district, speaks during an election night watch party Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
Denise Powell, candidate for the Democratic nomination to the House of Representatives in Nebraska's second district, speaks during an election night watch party Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
Denise Powell, candidate for the Democratic nomination to the House of Representatives in Nebraska's second district, speaks to media during an election night watch party Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
Denise Powell, candidate for the Democratic nomination to the House of Representatives in Nebraska's second district, right, hugs Jennifer Reyna, chair of Latino Caucus for the Democratic Party of Nebraska, during an election night watch party Wednesday, May 13, 2026, in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
