# Otarmeni is designed for people born deaf because of a mutation in a gene called OTOF.

*biotech · news · 2026-04-24 · New York Post*

## Key points

- The FDA approved Otarmeni, the first gene therapy for inherited OTOF-related hearing loss.
- Regeneron will provide Otarmeni free to all eligible US children and adults.
- Otarmeni restores hearing by delivering a working OTOF gene directly into the cochlea.
- Five of twelve children in the trial achieved essentially normal hearing after gene therapy.
- Otarmeni is the first gene therapy fast-tracked under the FDA's Commissioner’s National Priority Voucher program.

**Companies:** Regeneron, Eli Lilly
**Countries:** United States, China

[Read the full story on New York Post](https://nypost.com/2026/04/24/health/fda-oks-groundbreaking-gene-therapy-for-genetic-hearing-loss/)

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