Trophigen

Trophigen was a biotechnology company focused on developing gene therapies for the treatment of sensorineural hearing loss and balance disorders. The company's core technology involved using adenoviral vectors to deliver the ATOH1 gene to the inner ear, aiming to trigger the regeneration of sensory hair cells. Trophigen was founded based on research from the University of Kansas and the University of Washington. In 2006, the company was acquired by GenVec, which continued the development of its lead candidate, CGF166. This program eventually entered clinical trials in collaboration with Novartis, representing a pioneering effort in regenerative medicine for the ear. Although the company no longer operates independently, its assets laid the groundwork for modern auditory gene therapy.