Bench2Bedside: 
Tell our readers a bit about Cyrano Therapeutics and what you’re doing as a company.

Rick Geoffrion:
Cyrano Therapeutics is a clinical-stage regenerative medicine company focused on developing treatments for people who’ve lost their sense of smell and taste. It’s a surprisingly common problem, especially after viral infections, and there are currently no FDA-approved therapies. We’re aiming to change that.

Bench2Bedside: 
You’re seeking to address a medical condition that is largely underserved, despite its prevalence, particularly since the COVID-19 outbreak.  Tell us a bit more.

Rick Geoffrion:
We’re targeting chronic post-viral hyposmia—the long-term loss of smell that can linger for months or even years after a respiratory virus like COVID-19. It affects quality of life in a big way: people can’t taste food properly, they miss warning smells like gas leaks or smoke, and many report depression or anxiety. It’s also an early sign of neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson’s. Yet despite how common and serious it is, there are no approved drug treatments.

Bench2Bedside: 
Interesting.  So, what is your technology, and why do you think it could make a difference?

Rick Geoffrion:
Our lead candidate, CYR-064, is a novel intranasal spray formulation of theophylline delivered using a soft mist technology that targets the olfactory region directly. Theophylline has been used systemically in the past for respiratory issues, but that approach is known to have tolerability issues. By delivering it locally through the nose, we aim to maximize its therapeutic effect while avoiding systemic toxicity. The combination of our formulation and delivery device is what really sets us apart.

Bench2Bedside: 
You’ve had a busy start to 2025.  Please tell us what you’ve accomplished so far.

Rick Geoffrion:
We recently completed enrollment in our Phase 2 FLAVOR trial, a randomized, placebo-controlled study evaluating CYR-064 in patients with post-viral smell loss. That’s a big milestone for us. We’re also supporting an investigator-initiated study of CYR-064 in Parkinson’s disease–related hyposmia, which is another huge unmet need. Both studies use the same intranasal delivery platform and are helping us build a strong foundation for future development.

Additionally, we were very excited to enter into an option agreement with KYORIN Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. for the right to develop and commercialize CYR-064 in Japan.  Upon exercising the option and entering into a licensing agreement, KYORIN will provide Cyrano with an upfront payment, milestone payments tied to the progress of developing and commercializing CYR-064, and royalties based on a specified percentage of net sales following its launch.  It has the potential to be a significant opportunity for us.

Bench2Bedside: 
What inflection points do you anticipate in the coming months, and what do you see as Cyrano’s long-term growth opportunity?

Rick Geoffrion:
We expect top-line data from the FLAVOR trial in Q4 of 2025. That data will guide the next phase of clinical development and inform our regulatory strategy. We’re also exploring how CYR-064 could help other patient populations beyond post-viral cases. In parallel, we’re laying the groundwork for manufacturing, commercial planning, and ongoing investor engagement.

Hyposmia is really a wide-open space with no approved therapies and tens of millions of patients affected globally. We believe CYR-064 could be the first-in-class treatment for post-viral and neurodegenerative-related smell loss. The commercial opportunity is significant, and we’re looking for partners and investors who share our vision and want to help us bring this therapy to the people who need it.