Auris Medical Holding Ltd. (EARS)

Auris Medical was a clinical-stage biotech company that developed treatments for disorders of the inner ear and related conditions. Its lead programs included AM-101 for acute inner ear tinnitus, AM-111 for sudden hearing loss and AM-125, an intranasal form of betahistine for vertigo. It later added Bentrio, a drug-free nasal spray meant to protect against airborne allergens and viruses.

Originally a Swiss company, Auris Medical listed its shares on Nasdaq in 2014 under the ticker EARS. Late-stage trials of its tinnitus and hearing loss candidates did not meet their main goals, and the company repeatedly raised capital and carried out reverse share splits to keep its listing. In March 2019 it moved its legal domicile from Switzerland to Bermuda.

In June 2021 Auris Medical acquired Trasir Therapeutics, gaining the OligoPhore and SemaPhore platforms for delivering RNA-based drugs. It said it would spin off or sell its older ear and nasal programs and refocus on RNA delivery. Shareholders approved the new name Altamira Therapeutics Ltd. on July 21, 2021, and the Nasdaq ticker changed from EARS to CYTO on July 26, 2021.

As Altamira, the company carried out further reverse splits in 2022 and 2023 and sold a majority stake in its Bentrio business in November 2023 while keeping a minority interest. The EARS listing history continues under the CYTO symbol. The company remained listed on Nasdaq under the new ticker, and investors who held EARS shares automatically held CYTO shares after the change.