Envoy Medical Secures Additional Patent Protection for Its Growing Patent Portfolio

Rhea-AI Summary

Envoy Medical (NASDAQ: COCH) announces significant expansion of its patent portfolio with multiple new patents across different jurisdictions. The company secured two US patents: US Pat. No. 12,214,195 for an Implantable Cochlear System with Inner Ear Sensor (February 4, 2025) and US Pat. No. 12,233,256 for adjustable stereo cochlear implant systems (February 25, 2025).

Additionally, the Japanese Patent Office granted three patents to Envoy in December 2024: JP Pat. No. 7597846 for dual cochlear implant subsystems with common power supply, JP Pat. No. 7598327 for lead characterization in implanted cochlear systems, and JP Pat. No. 7598401 for signal processing from middle ear sensors. The company also received Hong Kong Patent No. HK40097814 on January 3, 2025, covering cochlear implant accessory programming.

Positive

• Secured 2 new US patents strengthening intellectual property protection
• Obtained 3 new Japanese patents expanding international market protection
• Received additional Hong Kong patent enhancing Asian market presence
• Diversified patent portfolio covering multiple cochlear implant technologies

Negative

• None.

Insights

Medical Technology Patent Analyst

The securing of five new patents across multiple jurisdictions (US, Japan, and Hong Kong) represents a significant strengthening of Envoy Medical's intellectual property fortress in the $1.8 billion global cochlear implant market. These patents are particularly valuable for several reasons:

The first US patent (12,214,195) introduces an innovative inner ear sensor system that could potentially improve sound quality and natural hearing perception. This technology addresses a critical challenge in cochlear implants - the ability to process sound signals more naturally, which could provide Envoy with a significant competitive advantage over traditional implant designs.

The second US patent (12,233,256) focuses on stereo cochlear implant systems with sophisticated volume adjustment capabilities. This innovation is particularly important as it addresses the challenge of balanced hearing in bilateral implant users - a growing segment of the market as more patients opt for implants in both ears.

The Japanese patents are strategically significant, considering Japan's aging population and sophisticated healthcare market. The integrated power supply patent could lead to more efficient and cost-effective bilateral implant solutions, while the lead characterization and signal processing patents could improve device reliability and performance.

The Hong Kong patent for accessory programming represents a forward-thinking approach to device ecosystem development, potentially creating additional revenue streams through complementary products and services.

From an investor perspective, this patent portfolio expansion has three key implications:

• Enhanced competitive moat in key markets, potentially extending market exclusivity beyond 2040
• Increased licensing revenue potential through cross-licensing agreements with larger competitors
• Improved negotiating position for potential strategic partnerships or acquisition discussions

The timing and geographical spread of these patents suggest a well-executed IP strategy aimed at protecting core technologies while expanding into key Asian markets. The focus on integrated systems and improved user experience aligns with the industry trend toward more sophisticated, user-friendly hearing solutions.

White Bear Lake, Minnesota--(Newsfile Corp. - February 14, 2025) - Envoy Medical®, Inc. (NASDAQ: COCH) ("Envoy Medical"), a hearing health company focused on providing hearing loss sufferers with innovative solutions today announces additional patents for its growing patent portfolio.

The US Patent & Trademark Office issued Envoy Medical Corporation US Pat. No. 12,214,195 on February 4, 2025. The title of the patent is Implantable Cochlear System with Inner Ear Sensor. This patent relates to cochlear implant systems having a cochlear electrode, a stimulator in electrical communication with the cochlear electrode, an inner ear sensor, and a signal processor in communication with the stimulator and the inner ear sensor. The inner ear sensor is configured to receive a stimulus signal from surrounding cochlear tissue and/or fluid of a wearer and generate an input signal based on the received stimulus signal. The signal processor has an analog processing stage and a digital processing stage that combine to compensate for variability in a frequency response of the inner ear sensor and is configured to receive the input signal from the inner ear sensor and output a stimulation signal to the stimulator. The stimulator is configured to provide electrical signals to the cochlear electrode in response to the stimulation signal.

The US Patent & Trademark Office will issue Envoy Medical Corporation US Pat. No. 12,233,256 on February 25, 2025. The title of the patent is Implantable Cochlear System with Integrated Components and Lead Characterization. This patent relates to adjustable stereo cochlear implant systems and methods for adjusting operation of stereo cochlear implant systems. In response to a received command to adjust a volume of the stereo cochlear implant system, a gain of a first cochlear implant subsystem can be adjusted by a first amount and a gain of a second cochlear implant subsystem can be adjusted by a second amount, different from the first, so that a wearer perceives an approximately equal change in output of the first cochlear implant subsystem and the second cochlear implant subsystem.

The Japanese Patent Office (JPO) recently granted Envoy Medical Corporation three new patents. On December 2, 2024, the JPO granted Envoy JP Pat. No. 7597846, which relates to providing a patient with two cochlear implant subsystems—one for the right side and one for the left side—with a common implanted power supply. On December 3, 2024, the JPO granted Envoy both JP Pat. No. 7598327, which relates to the characterization of leads in an implanted cochlear system, and also JP Pat. No. 7598401, which relates to analog and digital processing of an input signal from a middle ear sensor to reduce gain variability. These three Japanese patents share a common title: Implantable Cochlear System with Integrated Components and Lead Characterization.

The Hong Kong Patent Office granted HK Patent No. HK40097814 to Envoy Medical Corporation on January 3, 2025. The title is Programming of Cochlear Implant Accessories. This patent relates to a system and equipment for easily pairing accessory devices to a cochlear implant system.

About the Fully Implanted Acclaim® Cochlear Implant

We believe the fully implanted Acclaim Cochlear Implant ("Acclaim CI") is a first-of-its-kind hearing device. Envoy Medical's fully implanted technology includes a sensor designed to leverage the natural anatomy of the ear instead of a microphone to capture sound.

The Acclaim CI is designed to address severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss that is not adequately addressed by hearing aids. The Acclaim CI is expected to be indicated for adults who have been deemed adequate candidates by a qualified physician.

The Acclaim Cochlear Implant received the Breakthrough Device Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2019.

CAUTION The fully implanted Acclaim Cochlear Implant is an investigational device. Limited by Federal (or United States) law to investigational use.

About the Esteem® Fully Implanted Active Middle Ear Implant (FI-AMEI)

The Esteem fully implanted active middle ear implant (FI-AMEI) is the only FDA-approved, fully implanted* hearing device for adults diagnosed with moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss allowing for 24/7 hearing capability using the ear's natural anatomy. The Esteem FI-AMEI hearing implant is invisible and requires no externally worn components and nothing is placed in the ear canal for it to function. Unlike hearing aids, you never put it on or take it off. You can't lose it. You don't clean it. The Esteem FI-AMEI hearing implant offers true 24/7 hearing.

*Once activated, the external Esteem FI-AMEI Personal Programmer is not required for daily use.

Important safety information for the Esteem FI-AMEI can be found at: https://www.envoymedical.com/safety-information.

Additional Information and Where to Find It

Copies of the documents filed by Envoy Medical with the SEC may be obtained free of charge at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-Looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as "estimate," "plan," "project," "forecast," "intend," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "seek," "target" or other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Such statements may include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the expectations of Envoy Medical concerning the outlook for its business, productivity, plans and goals for future operational improvements and capital investments; the ability to obtain additional patents and develop future products or product improvements, the Acclaim CI being the first to market fully implanted cochlear implant, the timing and results of clinical trials of the Acclaim CI, and the participation of any institution in such trials; the safety, performance, and market acceptance of the Acclaim CI; the size of Envoy Medical's addressable market, operational performance, future market conditions or economic performance and developments in the capital and credit markets and any information concerning possible or assumed future operations of Envoy Medical. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release reflect Envoy Medical's current views about future events and are subject to numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and changes in circumstances that may cause its actual results to differ significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statement. Envoy Medical does not guarantee that the events described will happen as described (or that they will happen at all). These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to changes in the market price of shares of Envoy Medical's Class A Common Stock; changes in or removal of Envoy Medical's shares inclusion in any index; Envoy Medical's success in retaining or recruiting, or changes required in, its officers, key employees or directors; unpredictability in the medical device industry, the regulatory process to approve medical devices, and the clinical development process of Envoy Medical products; competition in the medical device industry, and the failure to introduce new products and services in a timely manner or at competitive prices to compete successfully against competitors; disruptions in relationships with Envoy Medical's suppliers, or disruptions in Envoy Medical's own production capabilities for some of the key components and materials of its products; changes in the need for capital and the availability of financing and capital to fund these needs; changes in interest rates or rates of inflation; legal, regulatory and other proceedings could be costly and time-consuming to defend; changes in applicable laws or regulations, or the application thereof on Envoy Medical; a loss of any of Envoy Medical's key intellectual property rights or failure to adequately protect intellectual property rights; the effects of catastrophic events, including war, terrorism and other international conflicts; and other risks and uncertainties set forth in the section entitled "Risk Factors" and "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements" in the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by Envoy Medical on April 1, 2024, and in other reports Envoy Medical files, with the SEC. If any of these risks materialize or Envoy Medical's assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. While forward-looking statements reflect Envoy Medical's good faith beliefs, they are not guarantees of future performance. Envoy Medical disclaims any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect changes in underlying assumptions or factors, new information, data or methods, future events or other changes after the date of this press release, except as required by applicable law. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which are based only on information currently available to Envoy Medical.

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Investor Relations:
Envoy Medical Investor Relations
InvestorRelations@envoymedical.com

Media Contact:
Media@envoymedical.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/240874

FAQ

What new US patents did Envoy Medical (COCH) receive in February 2025?

Envoy Medical received US Pat. No. 12,214,195 for Inner Ear Sensor technology on February 4, 2025, and US Pat. No. 12,233,256 for adjustable stereo cochlear implant systems on February 25, 2025.

How many new Japanese patents did Envoy Medical (COCH) secure in December 2024?

Envoy Medical secured three Japanese patents in December 2024: JP Pat. No. 7597846, 7598327, and 7598401, all related to cochlear implant systems with integrated components.

What technology does Envoy Medical's (COCH) new Hong Kong patent cover?

Envoy Medical's Hong Kong Patent No. HK40097814, granted on January 3, 2025, covers programming of cochlear implant accessories and pairing accessory devices to cochlear implant systems.

What is the geographical distribution of Envoy Medical's (COCH) new patents in 2024-2025?

Envoy Medical secured patents across three regions: two in the United States, three in Japan, and one in Hong Kong, strengthening their international intellectual property protection.