developing therapies to prevent and treat childhood ear infections
About Us
Oto Medicines Pty Ltd is based in Western Australia as a spin-out company from The Kids Research Institute Australia. Incorporated in 2025, Oto Medicines aims to deliver innovative solutions to prevent and treat childhood middle ear infections – also known as Otitis Media or OM.
OM affects almost every child, with one in four experiencing recurrent or chronic infection that negatively impacts hearing, speech, and learning. These ear infections are the leading reason for doctor visits, antibiotic prescriptions and ear surgery worldwide, yet there is no preventative therapy for the most common bacterial cause of OM.
We are developing Spritz-OM, a simple nasal spray consisting of healthy bacteria (like probiotics) that guards the ear from infection. By reducing the need for antibiotics and surgery, Spritz-OM is set to improve child health and minimize antibiotic use.
Spritz-OM is a novel patent-protected nasal therapy set to prevent childhood ear infections.
Almost every child experiences a middle ear infection by their 2nd birthday. One in 4 suffer repeat infections, often resulting in hearing loss and requiring antibiotics and surgery.
Spritz-OM targets the major pathogen that is responsible for over 50% of the 700 million annual ear infections worldwide.
Our Team
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
The Oto Medicines Team
Founding Director/CEO
A/Prof Lea-Ann Kirkham
BSc(Hons), PhD, GAICD
Infectious Disease Microbiologist Exp 25yr in Medical Research Drug discovery & development
Founding Director/CMO
Prof Peter Richmond
MBBS, FRACP, PhD, AICD
Paediatrician/Immunologist Exp 35yr in Clinical Trials Vaccine development/Pharma
COO/Product Development
A/Prof Alma Fulurija
BSci, MSc, PhD, GAICD
Infectious Disease Immunologist Exp 30yr in Drug Development Product Development/Biotech
Program Manager
Dr Elke Seppanen
BSc(Hons), PhD
Clinical Trials, biospecimens Exp 25yr in Med Research Ethics/clinical governance
R&D Manager
Imke Houwers
MSc
Medical Affairs (exSanofi) Exp 10yr Management Contracts/partnerships
Laboratory Team Co-Lead
Dr Ruth Thornton
BSc(Hons), PhD
Immunoassay development Clinical serology OM trials
CONTACT
Inquiries
For any inquiries, please email info@otomedicines.com or fill out the following form
Address
Oto Medicines Pty Ltd
The Kids Research Institute Australia
15 Hospital Ave
Nedlands WA 6009