Sound Pharmaceuticals Validates Combined Oral Formulation to Prevent Drug Induced Hearing Loss.

September 7th, 2004

Sound Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (SPI) announced today it has made significant pre-clinical progress on its drug development platform for the prevention of cisplatin induced hearing loss. Results of their studies will be published later this year in the peer-reviewed journal “Hearing Research”. Portions of this work were presented earlier this year at the annual meeting of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology.

Building on its success with the prevention of noise induced hearing loss, Sound Pharmaceuticals has developed a proprietary formulation of two well characterized small molecules which, when combined, significantly reduce the amount of hearing loss and kidney damage seen in cisplatin treated rats. “Our group has worked hard to develop a candidate chemoprotection drug strategy which can be dosed orally and at low cost. We are pleased to announce the advancement of SPI-3005/6 as a pre-IND candidate," stated Eric Lynch, PhD, Vice President and Director of Research.

SPI-3005 is a potent small molecule mimic of the enzyme Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx). GPx is a key enzyme in the neutralization of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and is depleted by cisplatin exposure. SPI-3006 is a Xanthine Oxidase (XO) inhibitor already in use in some chemotherapy regimes for the prevention of hyperuricemia. Research findings indicate that XO levels can increase following cisplatin exposure. By combining a XO enzyme inhibitor with a GPx enzyme mimic, SPI researchers are able to reduce the amount of toxic reactive oxygen species generated and better scavenge ROS in the tissues of the cochlea and kidney. “These data support SPI’s hypothesis that by acting on two separate biochemical pathways, we are able to achieve better chemoprotection than with either agent alone. This allows SPI to achieve chemoprotective efficacy without toxicity. In addition, protected animals had improved multi-organ function and morbidity and mortality rates,” stated Dr. Lynch.

SPI is planning a controlled clinical trial of SPI-3005/6 for the prevention of hearing loss due to cisplatin chemotherapy. SPI’s goal is to file an INDA and begin clinical testing of their novel chemoprotection formulation in 2005.


Sound Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a drug development company focused on treating hearing loss. To date, Sound Pharmaceuticals’ drug discovery program has identified targets for the prevention of hearing loss and for the improvement of hearing in individuals with hearing loss. For more information please visit http://www.soundpharmaceuticals.com

CONTACT: Dr. Jonathan Kil, President & CEO, Sound Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 4010 Stone Way N Suite 120, Seattle WA 98103, jkil@soundpharmaceuticals.com, 206-634-2559.