What is Akouos?
Headquartered in Boston, Akouos is a precision genetic medicine company dedicated to developing gene therapies with the potential to restore, improve, and preserve high-acuity physiologic hearing for individuals living with disabling hearing loss worldwide. Founded in 2016 by experts in neurotology, genetics, and AAV gene therapy, the company utilizes a proprietary adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector library and a novel delivery approach to target specific forms of sensorineural hearing loss. By integrating advanced scientific research with clinical application, Akouos aims to transform the standard of care for patients suffering from auditory impairments, moving beyond traditional symptomatic treatments toward curative genetic interventions.
How much funding has Akouos raised?
Akouos has raised a total of $368M across 3 funding rounds:
Series A
$50M
Series B
$105M
Stock Offering
$213M
Series A (2018): $50M, investors not publicly disclosed
Series B (2020): $105M led by Fidelity Mangement & Research Company, Wu Capital, New Enterprise Associates, Polaris Founders Fund, RA Capital Management, 5AM Ventures, EcoR1 Capital LLC, Pagsgroup, Novartis Venture Fund, Cowen Healthcare Investments, PIVOTAL BIOVENTURE PARTNERS LLC, Cormorant Asset Management , LLC, Partners Innovation Fund, Surveyor Capital, and Sofinnova Investments
Stock Issuance/Offering (2020): $213M, investors not publicly disclosed
Key Investors in Akouos
Wu Capital
A global investment firm that partners with top-tier asset managers to build diversified growth portfolios across healthcare, TMT, and high-tech sectors.
New Enterprise Associates
A long-standing venture capital firm established in 1977, focused on providing strategic support to entrepreneurs building transformative businesses.
RA Capital Management
A multi-stage investment manager specializing in evidence-based investing within the healthcare and life science industries, supported by their internal TechAtlas think tank.
What's next for Akouos?
With the support of major institutional backers, Akouos is well-positioned to accelerate its clinical development programs and expand its internal research capabilities. The strategic deployment of the $213M will likely focus on scaling manufacturing processes for its AAV-based therapies and advancing its lead candidates through rigorous clinical trials. As the company matures, the focus will shift toward establishing long-term efficacy and safety profiles, which are critical for regulatory approval and eventual commercialization. The firm's ability to maintain a robust pipeline while navigating the complexities of genetic medicine will be the primary driver of its future valuation and market impact in the global healthcare landscape.
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