In early December 2022 it was announced that Eli Lilly had completed acquisition of Akouos LLC. With ties to Harvard and Mass Eye and Ear, founded by major players in the fields of neurotology, inner ear drug delivery, clinical genetics, and AAV gene therapy, since startup Akouos has been focused on treating hearing disorders with clear etiology in genetically-defined patient populations. The firm's ability to match precision therapies with the right patients is rooted in their understanding of hearing loss genetics and pathophysiology. To underpin launch of the firm, Akouos entered into strategic license agreements with Lonza and with Massachusetts Eye and Ear for exclusive rights to the Anc-AAV gene therapy platform for all hearing and balance disorders. The firm's name - ????? in Greek - translates to "Listen" in English
