This year, the foundation once again received numerous applications from Germany and other European countries for the Research Prize Tinnitus and Hearing. The Scientific Advisory Board reviewed all submissions and ultimately selected Dr. rer. nat. Konstantin Tziridis as ths years winner. The postdoctoral researcher and scientific staff member for neurobiological basic research – Experimental ENT Medicine at the ENT Clinic of the Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) – received the highest rating for his study“A Single Dose of AC102 Reverts Tinnitus in Noise-Exposed Mongolian Gerbils by Restoring Ribbon Synapses.”

AC102 is a promising, new compound from AudioCure Pharma GmbH that may protect hair cells from degeneration and promote the restoration of neural connections (synapses) from the inner ear to the brain. Following a successful Phase 1 study, AC102 is currently being tested in a European Phase 2 study in patients with sudden hearing loss, where it is injected directly into the middle ear and could potentially be more effective than, for example, cortisone.

The Advisory Board emphasized the outstanding scientific and clinical relevance of the study: “Particularly noteworthy is the currently launched multicenter study in patients with sudden hearing loss, as the drug treatment of this acute hearing disorder and sudden-onset tinnitus has so far been based on weak evidence, and new substances urgently need to be tested,” said Prof. Gerhard Hesse. The board also highlighted the high quality of the methodology and the interdisciplinary approach of the work.

During the award ceremony, the foundation’s CEO, Gunhild Flöter, emphazised the foundation’s hope that this award represents another step toward an effective medical treatment for tinnitus patients. At the same time, she thanked the numerous private donors who made this year’s award possible.