DAY ONE

8:00 am Registration & Light Breakfast

8:50 am Chair’s Opening Remarks

Turning Past Failures into Future Success: Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Hearing Disorder Treatments

9:00 am Industry Leaders Fireside Chat: Exploring the Highlights & Hurdles from the Past Year to Inform Your 2025 Strategy

Synopsis

An executive panel discussion from industry leaders of the field to set the scene on the inner ear disorders therapy space. Ask your questions live to understand the expert’s thoughts on key topics including:

  • Highlighting and celebrating the big wins for inner ear therapeutics in the last year
  • Considering the challenges facing inner ear research including diagnostic testing, models and translational challenges
  • Benchmarking lessons learned from clinical setbacks to take forward into future programs

9:45 am Innovation in the Tinnitus Space: Emerging Therapies and Strategies for Better Patient Care

Synopsis

  • Evaluating innovative preclinical models for tinnitus to better understand underlying mechanisms and predict therapeutic efficacy
  • Differentiating between peripheral and central causes of tinnitus to guide targeted therapeutic strategies and clinical trial design
  • Exploring emerging research on the molecular and genetic factors contributing to inner ear dysfunction and tinnitus onset

10:15 am Exploring Use & Comparison of Common Audiologic Assessments & Tests in Interventional Clinical Trials

  • Jonathan Kil CEO and Chief Medical Officer, Sound Pharmaceuticals

Synopsis

  • Overview of otoscopy, tympanometry, pure tone audiometry, speech discrimination, otoacoustic emissions, ABR, and electrocochleography
  • Translation from animals to human using different measure or responder analysis
  • Comparison of continuous vs noncontinuous variables as outcome measure or endpoints 

10:45 am Morning Break & Speed Networking

Synopsis

A prime chance to make the most of in-person networking and forge new connections with an expanding landscape of companies entering, or expanding their presence within, the Inner Ear therapeutics space. Designed to maximize your introduction to numerous new individuals and serve as a catalyst for ongoing discussions during the summit, connect with peers across discovery, preclinical, translational, clinical, regulatory and commercial audiological research.

Unlocking Breakthroughs in the Next Generation of Cell Therapy, Gene Therapy & Small Molecule Programs to Enhance Preclinical Success, Drive Clinical Impact & Accelerate Patient Outcomes

11:45 am Pioneering Cell Therapy to Advance from Innovation into a Clinical Reality

Synopsis

  • Transition from completing preclinical work in cell therapy into becoming a clinical stage company, using the first cell therapy for audiology in patients
  • Readying for later stage clinical trials and preparing for regulatory milestones for a smooth progression of a trial
  • Highlighting the importance of addressing neural hearing loss within the wider hearing loss landscape and its implications for future treatment strategies

12:15 pm Accelerating Small Molecule Therapies to Drive Clinical Advancement in Inner Ear Therapeutics

Synopsis

  • Exploring the achievements of initial clinical trials and outlining strategic approaches to sustain and build upon this success in later stages
  • Evaluating ongoing Phase II studies and interpreting their findings to inform future development and clinical strategies
  • How to plan for further clinical development, with patient enrolment in mind 

12:45 pm What If your R&D partner Could Do More? Cilcare Takes Therapy Development for ear disorders combining Deep preclinical lab expertise with Data Science and Clinical strategy

Synopsis

• Unrivaled Preclinical Expertise in Hearing Disorders

• Cilcare offers a unique scientific platform dedicated to ear disorders, mastering in vitro,

explant, and in vivo models, along with microsurgery, electrophysiology, and histology

techniques—providing translational insights few service providers can match.

• Beyond Testing: Strategic Integration of Data & Clinical Vision

• Cilcare combines robust lab science with data science and clinical development insight

to guide target selection, de-risk programs early, and support smarter therapeutic

positioning in a complex regulatory landscape.

• From Models to Patients: Translational Value Through Clinical Programs Through clinical

studies such as SAPHIR and DIAMANT, Cilcare bridges the gap between auditory and

neuroinflammatory disorders, using Target Product Profiles (TPPs) to design clinically

relevant, outcome-driven protocols — exemplified by our lead drug candidate, CIL001.

12:55 pm Lunch & Networking

Creating Strategic Alliances Across Biotech, Pharma & Investors to Advance Commercial & Scientific Breakthroughs in Inner Ear Therapies

2:00 pm Panel Discussion: Exploring the Potential of Combination Treatments with Device-Based Pharmacological Therapies

Synopsis

• Discussing the integration of device-based therapies and pharmacological treatments to treat medical conditions

• How device-based therapies and pharmacological treatments can complement each other to maximize therapeutic effects

• Ensuring the combined therapies do not interfere with each other or result in adverse interactions

2:30 pm Round Table: Discussing the Advancements Drug/Device Combination Strategies for Targeted Drug Delivery and Hearing Preservation with Cochlear Implants

Synopsis

Exploring combining cochlear implants with therapeutic agents enhances the overall

patient experience, offering a more complete solution for auditory restoration by

addressing both hearing loss and related issues

• Exploring clinical studies are critical for demonstrating the clinical benefits of drug/device

combinations, with a focus on sustained release mechanisms

3:00 pm Panel Discussion: Collaborating with Large Pharma & VCs:What are They Looking For & What to Expect?

Synopsis

  • Hear from large pharma, venture capitalist and experienced biotech leaders as they dive into the scientific and commercial factors of setting up a successful partnership to develop inner ear therapies
  • Uncover the key end-to-end key milestones that are evaluated when deciding on investment and partnership opportunities
  • Ask your questions on what big pharma companies will be looking for next in their audiology investments

4:00 pm Afternoon Break & Scientific Poster Session

Synopsis

This is an informal session to help you connect with your peers in a relaxed atmosphere to continue forging new and beneficial relationships. With an audience of Audiology experts eager to hear the latest discoveries in Inner Ear therapeutics research, you will have the opportunity to display a poster presenting your own work and innovations. Don’t miss out on the chance to connect, learn, and present.

4:45 pm Advancing Preclinical Cell Therapy Research for Hearing Restoration

  • Dan Giles BD manager, Lineage Cell Therapeutics Inc.

Synopsis

  • Developing a platform to characterize and manufacture auditory neurons for transplantation.
  • Early preclinical animal studies show that transplanted cells are durable and demonstrate some migration.
  • Preparing for regulatory discussions with the FDA while leveraging lessons from successful cell transplant programs in the spinal cord and eye.

5:10 pm Developing Small Molecule Therapies from Preclinical into Clinical Trials

  • Jian Zuo Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder, Ting Therapeutics

Synopsis

  • Advancing small molecule therapies to prevent hearing loss from antibiotics, noise exposure, and chemotherapy.
  • Translating preclinical research into clinical applications for effective drug development.
  • Overcoming challenges in dosing, biomarkers, regulatory pathways, and trial design.

5:40 pm Chair’s Closing Remarks

5:45 pm End of Conference Day One