The inexpensive antidepressant fluvoxamine might help keep patients with Covid-19 from developing severe disease, according to a study published in The Lancet Global Health. Researchers found in another study that the coronavirus can infect cells of the inner ear, which may help explain the balance problems, hearing loss and tinnitus (ringing in the ears) experienced by some Covid-19 patients.

In a review of recently published scientific studies, investigators at Keck School of Medicine of USC identified a natural barrier to the inner’s sensory cells’ ability to regenerate.

Fennec Pharmaceuticals resubmitted the company’s New Drug Application (NDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the pediatric chemotherapy-induced hearing loss prevention drug Pedmark.

Otonomy shares plunged 50.1 percent at news that the company’s drug to treat Meniere’s disease failed to hit the primary endpoint in a Phase III trial.

Three months after hearing loss-focused company Akouos secured $105 million in a Series B financing round, the Boston-based company is eying an initial public offering valued at about $100 million.

Irvine, California-based Novus Therapeutics announced that the company’s Phase IIa clinical trial of OPO201 in acute otitis media, or inflammation of the middle ear, failed to meet the primary endpoint.

Deaf-owned software company Wavio announced a strategic partnership with AREA 23, an FCB Health Network Company, which includes a major investment deal for the development and product launch of “See Sound.” Created by AREA 23 and Wavio, the revolutionary home device is scheduled to launch during 2020. The partnership provides the FCB Health Network with company equity in Wavio and revenue share on product sales.