Sound Pharmaceuticals Publishes Results on Oral Compound to Prevent Noise Induced Hearing Loss.

SEATTLE, WA February 4th, 2004

Sound Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (SPI) has published their findings on the prevention of NIHL in the February 2004 issue of “The Laryngoscope”. Pre-clinical and clinical toxicology on SPI-1005 demonstrates that it is well tolerated and safe.

Studies by an independent academic group in Japan have validated the active pharmaceutical ingredient in SPI-1005 using another animal model of noise induced hearing loss (Pourbahkt and Yamasoba, Ebselen attenuates cochlear damage caused by acoustic trauma. Hearing Research. 2003 Jul;181(1-2):100-8). “The fact that two groups have come to similar conclusions with the same molecule in the same dose range is very exciting and further validates this molecule as a candidate for the prevention and treatment of noise induced hearing loss,” said Lynch.

SPI is planning a controlled clinical trial for the prevention of hearing loss due to weapons fire in military operations. SPI’s goal is to file an INDA and begin clinical testing this year. The United States military has a long history with noise induced hearing loss evaluation and provides an ideal setting for clinical testing of otoprotective drugs.

According to the NIH, CDC and NIOSH, hearing loss is the most common neurosensory disorder and the most common occupational disease. Hearing loss is found in all age groups and can seriously compromise the quality of life or job performance of those affected.

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.