Lineage Therap Partners with WDI for Hearing Loss Research: Unlocking $12M for Clinical Trials

Lineage Therap has partnered with WDI to advance its ReSonance program for treating hearing loss. The multi-year research collaboration will involve up to $12 million in funding from WDI over three years. The agreement includes joint ownership of project results.

Lineage Cell Therapeutics, Inc. (LCTX) has announced a significant research collaboration with William Demant Invest A/S (WDI) to advance its ReSonance (ANP1) program, a cell-based therapy aimed at treating hearing loss. The multi-year partnership, which includes a substantial funding commitment from WDI, will focus on the preclinical development of the ANP1 product.

Under the terms of the agreement, WDI will provide up to $12 million in funding over the course of three years. This investment will support various aspects of the ReSonance program, including cell manufacturing, proof-of-concept studies, translational/functional models, delivery development, outcome measures, regulatory strategy, and market analysis. The collaboration will also involve joint ownership of the project results, ensuring that both parties benefit from the advancements made during the research phase.

The ReSonance program is Lineage's first internally-developed cell transplant program and highlights the company's technology platform's efficiency and breadth. Over a short period, Lineage has successfully manufactured the desired cell type, generated new intellectual property, and advanced into initial preclinical testing. This partnership with WDI, which has a strong interest in hearing healthcare, will allow Lineage to integrate the expertise of Eriksholm Research Centre with its own manufacturing and cell transplant capabilities to further explore the potential of this differentiated cell transplant.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 2.5 billion people are expected to experience some degree of hearing loss by 2025. In severe-to-profound cases, the condition may involve loss of auditory nerve cells, leading to auditory neuropathy and significant hearing impairment. Cell-based therapy, which aims to replace lost or damaged auditory nerve cells, holds promise for restoring hearing and enhancing the effectiveness of cochlear implants in certain individuals with severe-to-profound hearing loss.

The partnership between Lineage and WDI represents a strategic move to address a significant unmet medical need. The collaboration's success will depend on the ability to integrate cutting-edge research with robust manufacturing processes and regulatory strategies. As the ReSonance program progresses, investors and financial professionals will be closely monitoring the company's progress and the potential impact of this therapy on the hearing healthcare market.

References:
[1] https://www.marketscreener.com/news/lineage-cell-therapeutics-inc-announces-research-collaboration-with-william-demant-invest-to-devel-ce7c50ded98bf621
[2] https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250826289327/en/Lineage-Announces-Research-Collaboration-With-William-Demant-Invest-to-Develop-ReSonance-ANP1-for-Hearing-Loss