I'd suggest adding GNVC to your list. It fell roughly 70% since getting news the hearing trial being run by Novartis was on a hold for safety. I both believe it to be an over-reaction, but also believe that Novartis isn't about to abandon this drug, even if it is determined that higher doses are unsafe to administer.
To be blunt, the lower doses of the drug have provided some measurable noises to people who previously lost hearing at the lower dosage levels, but no one is hearing intelligent speech. GNVC is working on a supplementing drug which could make it much more effective, Novartis has rights of first refusal. More importantly, without further testing, no one knows what may happen with multiple dosing, instead of a single dose.
Most importantly, for people who're hard of hearing, or using hearing aids, this drug may prove to provide all the improvement needed to bring their hearing to a normal level. It won't happen in the current trial, but I believe once safety is established, even in the lower levels, Novartis and the FDA should be able to come to an agreement on running such a trial.
Gary |
