Rumblings of Change in the Hearing Markets: Sonova Buys Advanced Bionics
This article was originally published in Start Up
Executive Summary
The hearing markets have followed a different evolutionary branch than the rest of the medical world, with a complicated infrastructure, and a schism between its two main product categories; the hearing aids sold through the audiology channel, and cochlear implants, surgical devices marketed to ENTs. This fragmentation has long kept the hearing markets from realizing their potential. The recent merger of Advanced Bionics with Sonova is a major step toward bridging the chasm in the hearing impairment industry, and perhaps in beginning to change its dynamics.
You may also be interested in...
New GSK Spin-Out Targets Hearing Loss
The second spin-out to emerge after GSK's 2010 exit from neurosciences-related R&D, Autifony Therapeutics may receive up to 10 million pounds in Series A funding to develop preclinical assets for hearing disorders.
Drugs for Hearing Loss: A Sound Opportunity
Hearing loss is an arena largely ignored by the biopharmaceutical industry, with most of the innovation coming from med-tech players. That situation is ripe for change as a vanguard of start-ups is attempting to develop novel therapies to treat a variety of hearing disorders, including Ménière's disease and sudden sensorineural hearing loss.
A Boom in Devices for the Hearing Impaired
Competition is spurring innovation in the hearing aid market and providers are excited at the prospect of adopting new products that can improve on existing treatments. The hottest area at the moment is implantable hearing aid devices. It's not a new concept, but it's one that many believe will command a significant share of the market.