Preventing hearing loss requires delivering medication to the inner ear. Currently, this is done through surgery or an imprecise drop method. UT researcher David Fernandez Rivas has received a ZonMw grant to further develop his needle-free injection method (BuBble Gun technology) for precise and safe drug delivery into the inner ear.
Millions worldwide suffer from hearing loss, yet effective prevention and treatment options remain limited. One of the main challenges is delivering medication safely and precisely to the cochlea, a delicate and hard-to-reach part of the inner ear. UT researcher David Fernandez Rivas is tackling this challenge in collaboration with researchers from Radboudumc and Medizinische Hochschule Hannover (Germany). The Safe2(H)ear research, which was awarded funding within the ZonMw Open Competition, focuses on innovative methods for drug delivery in the inner ear using advanced microfluidic technology.
Innovative precision delivery technology
The Safe2(H)ear project will explore novel drug delivery approaches, including BuBbleGun technology, developed by David Fernandez Rivas and his team since 2015. This technology, based on microbubbles, makes it possible to deliver medicines without needles with great precision. Applying this technology to hearing loss treatment could revolutionise medical care.
Current methods of drug delivery into the inner ear are limited: surgical procedures carry risks, and diffusion through the circular window – a membrane that provides access to the cochlea – gives little control over drug concentration. Through Safe2(H)ear, researchers aim to closely examine the round window and surrounding tissue. This knowledge will lead to the development of innovative models to optimise drug delivery in clinical settings beyond the BuBbleGun’s original ambition to inject the skin, which is now valorised by the academic startup FlowBeams.
From fundamental research to clinical impact
Researchers will analyse the mechanical and biological properties of the round window using human tissue and advanced lab models. With these insights, they then develop computer models and animal-free test systems. The researchers will work with patients to assess the acceptance of this new clinical technology.
ZonMw Open Competition
Safe2(H)ear is one of 29 projects awarded a share of €24 million in funding from the ZonMw Open Competition. This program encourages curiosity-driven and interdisciplinary collaborations that enable cutting-edge science. The funding offers researchers the opportunity to further develop innovative concepts and work towards societal impact.
Safe2(H)ear marks another significant step for the Mesa+ Institute, TechMed Centre and the University of Twente in medical technology research, aiming to make hearing loss treatments safer and more effective. By combining fundamental research, cutting-edge technology, and patient-centred innovation, this project aims to make hearing loss more treatable in the future.
