For Dr Haruna Suzuki-Kerr, the journey from academic research to medtech innovation represents a strategic step towards making an impact. With a background in physiology and a deep passion for global health, she has dedicated her career to addressing gaps in hearing loss treatment.
Hearing loss affects almost one in six people in New Zealand, with ageing populations driving an increase in cases. About 880,000 people in Aotearoa, and 1.5 billion worldwide, experience hearing loss.
“A large majority of hearing loss is a type called sensorineural hearing loss. Sensorineural hearing loss happens gradually, but we have no way to stop it, and is irreversible once developed. Currently, our options are limited to hearing aids, or if it becomes profound, cochlear implants—which require surgery. A drug-based option is missing,” says Haruna.
Promising drug compounds exist, but none have made it through clinical trials to be approved for large number of people with sensorineural hearing loss. This is largely due to the challenge of delivering treatments directly to the inner ear, where therapies need to reach Sensorineural hearing loss also varies widely across individuals, and current diagnostics don’t reveal its biological causes, making targeted treatment difficult.
To bridge this gap, Haruna is working with a well-established auditory neuroscience researcher Professor Peter Thorne and collaborators to develop a device that delivers therapeutic compounds directly to the cochlea. Last year, the team secured five years of research funding through MBIE’s Endeavour Fund. Testing in sheep models, chosen for their anatomical similarities to humans, has so far shown promising results. Haruna, Peter and the team intend to establish a New Zealand-based company designed to manufacture cutting-edge inner ear treatments, attract international investment and foster partnerships with leading pharmaceutical companies—delivering both economic and healthcare benefits.
Hearing loss, when left untreated, has far-reaching consequences, affecting the lives of children and adults alike. Advancing hearing therapeutics will enable participation and addresses inequalities. Beyond personal hardship, its economic impact is staggering, costing New Zealand approximately $4.6 billion annually.
“This funding gives us the resources to push our research forward while planning for translation and commercialisation.” Haruna is particularly excited about the broader implications of their work. “If we can solve the drug delivery challenge, it opens the door for an entirely new category of treatments for sensorineural hearing loss.”
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