GenVec Inc (fka GNVC)

[joe_techi]

"Swiss pharma giant Novartis AG is working with GenVec to use gene therapy to stimulate the growth of hair cells. A modified virus delivers a copy of a gene called Atonal 1 that tells supporting cells in the ear to convert into hair cells.
While gene therapy probably won’t help people who are born deaf, because the brain hasn’t developed to interpret sound, GenVec Chief Executive Officer Doug Swirsky says he’s hopeful it will work for patients who lost their hearing at a young age. GenVec’s product could reach the market in three to five years."

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-10-14/drugmakers-try-gels-gene-therapy-to-help-reverse-hearing-loss