Pre-Conference Workshop Day
Monday June 20, 2022
WORKSHOP A
A Novel Collaboration: Cochlear Implant Device/Drug Combination
8:30-11:30am
Does the future of hearing solutions bear in hybrid technologies? A novel approach to improving hearing outcomes for patients is to combine therapeutics with cochlear implants. It is known that local drug application to the inner ear offers several advantages over systemic delivery. This workshop will showcase the latest preclinical and clinical data highlighting the advantages of this approach as a novel therapeutic modality. This workshop will also cover the regulatory landscape for such drug/device combinations.
Workshop Leaders:
Gary Housley
Professor & Chair of Physiology,
Director – Translational Neuroscience Facility
School of Medical Sciences, UNSW
Marcelo Rivolta
Chief Scientific Officer
Rinri Therapeutics
Suhrud Rajguru
Professor, Department of Biomedical
Engineering & Otolaryngology
University of Miami
Gerard O'Donoghue
Medical Doctor, Department of Otolaryngology
Nottingham University Hospitals
WORKSHOP B
Mind the Gap: Calling Out the Shortfalls in the Current Inner Ear Therapeutic Development Pathway and Illuminating Solutions
12.00-3.00pm
In this three-part workshop, key opinion leaders from across the field will actively discuss and debate the main
challenges and tangible solutions to developing demonstrably efficacious therapeutics. Contributions from attendees
will be utilized to build a position statement on needs and opportunities.
Part 1: Outcome Measures: Evaluating current clinical endpoints and defining alternatives.
Part 2: Harnessing the Gold Standard: could devices provide powerful tools for drug development?
Part 3: Building Consensus: attendees will work together to build a position statement that will be used to drive
change, beyond the summit.
This workshop will have series of panels featuring special guests invited by our KOLs
Workshop Leaders:
David McAlpine
Academic Director
Macquarie University Hearing
Anne GM Schilder
Professor of Otolaryngology,
Ear Institute
University College London
Denise Goldman
Vice President, Global Head of
Biosciences and Hearing Drug Solutions
Cochlear Ltd
WORKSHOP C
Drug Delivery in the Inner Ear – Breaking the Dogma
3.30-6.30pm
Effective and safe treatment of auditory and vestibular diseases has become increasingly dependent on inner ear drug delivery systems. Recent advances in inner ear therapeutics have seen the rise of novel delivery mechanisms such as microneedle and microfluidic technologies and more.
In this workshop our speakers will showcase
• The future of drug delivery systems aimed at reducing treatment burden
• Improving outcomes of patients with inner ear diseases
Workshop Leaders:
Anil Lalwani
Professor, Dept Otolaryngology-HNS,
Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons
Columbia University
Jeffrey Borenstein
Group Lead
Draper
Jeffrey Kysar
Professor, Dept of Mechanical Engineering, Fu Foundation School of Engineering & Applied Science
Columbia University
