All projects of Auris Medical are focused on the cochlea - which is emphasized by the stylized "medical green" cochlea and the term "cochlear therapies" in the company's logo. The cochlea is a snail shaped structure ("kokhlias" is the Greek word for snail) that is the sensory organ of hearing. Together with the adjacent vestibular system, which maintains the body's balance and equilibrium, it forms the inner ear. The cochlea is a tiny (about the size of a fingernail), yet very powerful organ containing an intricate system of membranes, fluids, specialized sensory cells (hair cells) and neurons. It converts sounds in a highly fascinating process from mechanical vibrations into electrical signals. These signals code the sound's characteristics and are transmitted to the brain by the auditory nerve.

The idea behind the concept of cochlear therapies is rather simple: to obtain maximum efficacy and avoid unwanted side effects on other parts of the body, pharmaceuticals are used that work specifically on the inner ear disorder and are administered locally, i.e. directly to the cochlea, the site of action. Local drug delivery is important, as the cochlea - like the brain - is protected by a biological barrier, rendering systemic administration of drugs without severe side effects almost impossible.

Turning the concept of cochlear therapies into therapeutic products represents a major scientific and technical challenge. Auris Medical has taken up this challenge and aims to make cochlear therapies a reality - to improve the health and quality of life of many people around the world.