Regeneron, Decibel Therapeutics collaborate over hearing loss and tinnitus therapeutics

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Decibel Therapeutics, Inc. have announced a collaboration to discover and develop new potential therapeutics to protect, repair, and restore hearing.

Decibel is establishing a leadership position in hearing therapeutics by building the world’s first comprehensive, integrated drug discovery, translational research, and drug development platform for hearing loss and tinnitus. Regeneron has established world-leading capabilities in genetics research, drug discovery, and antibody development and manufacturing, which can now be used in synergy with Decibel’s efforts in hearing loss.

"Over three decades, Regeneron has established an unparalleled suite of innovative technologies thanks to the science-focused approach championed by their longstanding leadership team," said Steven H. Holtzman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Decibel. "As we work to apply these capabilities to the development of hearing therapeutics, what truly distinguishes this collaboration is that Regeneron and Decibel scientists will be working together, shoulder to shoulder, on project teams beginning at the earliest stages of research. We believe this should significantly reduce the time and investment necessary for Decibel to sustainably discover and develop meaningful new medications for hearing loss and tinnitus, increase our probability of success, and enable us to build the world’s leading hearing therapeutics company."

The collaboration has an innovative structure where Regeneron will provide Decibel with broad access to its proprietary suite of technologies to support Decibel’s goal of discovering important new medicines for hearing. Regeneron will also directly participate in and provide financial support for Decibel’s research and development efforts, both through R&D funding payments and a strategic equity investment in Decibel. Decibel retains worldwide development and commercialisation rights to any products discovered in the collaboration and will pay Regeneron tiered royalties based on net sales.

"Regeneron is committed to following the science as broadly as possible, and we’re excited to invest in new discoveries coming not only from our labs but also from young biotechnology companies with whom we believe we can synergize. We see these kinds of creative collaborations as a promising way to extend the impact of our technology and medicines to even more patients in need," said George D. Yancopoulos, M.D., Ph.D., President and Chief Scientific Officer of Regeneron. "Decibel is an ideal example in the area of hearing problems – a condition where new and earlier interventions could truly change the course of a person’s entire life."

"This stands out as one of the most unique collaborations that I have seen in my 30-plus years in biotech," said Kevin Starr, Co-Founder and Partner at Third Rock Ventures and Chairman of Decibel. "The scope of the collaboration in research and discovery, as well as the retention by the younger biotechnology company to all commercial rights worldwide, are unprecedented in my experience. It positions Decibel to lead the way in developing meaningful therapeutics for hearing."