Santa Maria lab discovery gets FDA approval to move into clinical trials in 2020

In 2013, the Santa Maria lab discovered that topical heparin binding epidermal growth factor like growth factor could regenerate the tympanic membrane. In partnership with Auration Biotech and Astellas Pharmaceuticals the FDA approved it as an investigational new drug allowing for a multi center study to begin recruitment in 2020. If successful, in the future, it could mean patients with holes in the ear drum may be able to avoid surgery.