Cyrano Therapeutics Announces Positive Topline Results from Phase 2 FLAVOR Trial of CYR-064, a Proprietary and Potential First-to-Market Regenerative Therapy for Persistent Smell Loss
Trial met its primary safety and key prespecified secondary efficacy endpoints, supporting advancement into Phase 3 development in 2H 2026 DELRAY BEACH, Fla., February 17, 2026– Cyrano Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage regenerative medicine company developing novel treatments for smell and taste disorders, today announced positive topline results from its Phase 2 FLAVOR trial of CYR-064, an innovative, intranasal soft-mist spray for the treatment of persistent post-viral loss of smell (hyposmia). The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study enrolled 151 patients with persistent hyposmia, lasting at least 6 months, across 14 clinical sites in the U.S. and met its primary endpoint demonstrating the safety and tolerability of CYR-064 with no treatment-related serious adverse events. CYR-064 also demonstrated durable improvements in smell function across multiple, prespecified, secondary efficacy endpoints. The company intends to present detailed trial data at an upcoming medical conference in 2026. “This is the first randomized, controlled trial to show a pharmaceutical agent can safely improve smell function in patients with persistent post-viral hyposmia,” said Rick Geoffrion, President and CEO of Cyrano Therapeutics. “Once a person has lost their sense of smell for as long as 6 months, the chances become extremely small that their sense of smell will return. Also, when the sense of smell is lost, people also lose up to 80% of their perception of taste. So in general we are talking about the impairment of as many as 2 out of the main 5 human senses. CYR-064 has the potential to be the first approved therapy for millions suffering from this serious condition, one with no effective treatment today.” “We now have the first randomized clinical trial data evaluating a targeted regenerative therapy for post-viral smell loss,” said Mas Takashima, MD, FACS, Chairman of the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at Houston Methodist Hospital and Primary Investigator for the FLAVOR trial. “We currently have no effective options for the tens of millions of patients in the U.S. and worldwide experiencing post-viral smell loss and its associated impact on taste. The results of this trial show that CYR-064 may one day become the first front-line treatment for this serious condition.” CYR-064 is a patent-protected, intranasal formulation of a broad-spectrum phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor with a patent-protected targeted delivery system designed to enhance olfactory neuron excitability and restore the sense of smell. About Hyposmia Hyposmia, including post-viral hyposmia, is a decreased sense of smell after a viral infection, an increasingly prevalent and serious chronic sensory condition for which there is no approved drug therapy and limited treatment options. Hyposmia is commonly associated with a decreased sense of both smell and taste. People with post-viral hyposmia which persists for more than several months often do not recover, causing significant impairment in quality of life, nutritional deficits, depression, safety risks, and increased risk of cognitive decline and mortality in older adults. More than 60 million people in the U.S., Europe and Japan currently suffer from persistent post-viral hyposmia. About Cyrano Therapeutics, Inc. Cyrano Therapeutics is a private, venture-backed clinical stage regenerative medicine company. Since its foundation, Cyrano has been working diligently to develop therapies for people struggling with the loss of smell and taste. To learn, more please visit https://cyranotherapeutics.com/ Contact: Tiberend Strategic Advisors, Inc. Jon Nugent (investors)jnugent@tiberend.com(205) 566-3026 Eric Reiss (media)ereiss@tiberend.com (732) 607-8582
Restore the Sense of Smell: Cyrano Therapeutics Featured in Clinical Trial Vanguard for Breakthrough FLAVOR Trial
Cyrano Therapeutics has been prominently featured in Clinical Trial Vanguard for its pioneering work in treating long-term smell loss, to restore the sense of smell, with the FLAVOR clinical trial. The article profiles Cyrano’s innovative intranasal therapy, CYR-064, which is currently being studied as the first pharmaceutical intervention for post-viral olfactory loss (PVOL) to restore the sense of smell. Led by CEO and co-founder Rick Geoffrion, Cyrano Therapeutics is at the forefront of restoring smell and flavor perception in patients impacted by persistent sensory loss following viral infections such as COVID-19. The FLAVOR trial reflects a major step forward in addressing an often-overlooked medical condition that affects millions globally. The feature explores Cyrano’s scientific strategy and the critical importance of sensory recovery—not just for enjoyment of life, but also for safety and overall well-being. With no approved pharmaceutical treatments currently available for PVOL, CYR-064 represents a new category of therapeutic innovation that redefines how the industry approaches sensory endpoints in clinical care. Read the full article here → First Pharma to Restore the Sense of Smell? Inside the FLAVOR Trial Quest to Treat Postviral Olfactory Loss
Restoring Olfactory Function After Post-Viral Loss of Smell with Rick Geoffrion Cyrano Therapeutics on the Empowered Patient Podcast with Karen Jagoda
Rick Geoffrion, Founder and CEO of Cyrano Therapeutics, is developing a drug to restore olfactory function due to post-viral loss of smell and taste. As a result of COVID-19, there has been a significant increase in the number of people affected by long-term smell and taste loss, with no effective pharmaceutical options previously available. Smell loss can also be an early indicator of neurodegenerative conditions, suggesting future applications of the intranasal spray that aims to directly restore function to the olfactory receptor neurons. Rick explains, “Taste and smell have a really strong connection, actually. First of all, they’re two out of the five basic senses that we have as human beings. When you lose your sense of smell, people actually perceive that they’ve lost about 80% of their sense of taste. Now, technically, you’re not losing your sense of taste. We actually just give our tongue too much credit. Our tongue is able to detect sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami. That’s all it detects, and it detects them really in light monotone that are about 80% less intense if you’ve lost your sense of smell. In addition, if you no longer have your sense of smell, what you’ve really lost is the ability to detect flavor in food. So, to tell the difference between a peach, a pear, and a strawberry, maybe you’ll tell that visually, but to tell it from a flavor perspective, you completely lose that ability. “There really are no significant therapies to treat the condition right now. Essentially, if you’ve lost your sense of smell, a physician may recommend that you use smell training, which is essentially the regular smelling of intense essential oils, and they really haven’t been shown to significantly treat or cure a chronic smell loss condition. It is thought that if your body is spontaneously recovering, say within those first few months, if you do undergo smell training, you may accelerate that recovery. But other than that, there’s certainly no gold standard treatment or no significant treatments available right now, and no pharmaceuticals in the pipeline other than CYR-064, which is being developed by Cyrano.” To download the transcript from Empowered Patient Podcast, click here.
Smell Olfactory Receptors: Improving Smell with Science
Cyrano Therapeutics has signed a licensing agreement with Resyca, for improving smell olfactory receptors post-viral smell loss using CYR-064, with their Soft Mist Nasal Spray Technology. Resyca has developed a proprietary technology that can be adapted to a commercial nasal pump. In our case, it is a quality pump from Ursatec. The technology allows the Ursatec pump to deliver a droplet size that is small enough to waft up to the olfactory region at the very top of the nasal cavity, thereby providing more consistent drug deposition to that region. The olfactory region and the olfactory receptor neurons that reside within it is the therapeutic target for CYR-064, our smell loss therapy treatment. Resyca technology is expected to improve the consistency of drug delivery for CYR-064 and improve the odds that it will provide a clinical benefit in patients with smell loss… Read About Our Work Improving Smell Olfactory Receptors
Press: Delivering Therapies To The Olfactory Region
For decades, drug developers have struggled to deliver therapies directly to the olfactory region of the nasal cavity, one of the more anatomically and physiologically complex targets in the human body. This region, nestled high within the upper nasal cavity, is home to the olfactory epithelium, the tissue within which the olfactory receptors reside, which are in part responsible for our sense of smell. Reaching it precisely is critical for treating certain conditions, such as post-viral hyposmia, but doing so with a medication that is both effective and safe remains one of the most underexplored frontiers in drug delivery science. Treating post-viral hyposmia, a chronic condition characterized by the mild to severe loss of the sense of smell following a viral infection, is challenging. The condition affects tens of millions of people worldwide and has long been overlooked despite its significant impact on quality of life, nutritional health, and personal safety. When the sense of smell is lost, the sense of taste is diminished by as much as 80%, which means that two of the basic five senses are severely affected… Read More About Olfactory Region Therapies
Cyrano BIO Participation 2025 Press Release
Topline data from Phase 2 FLAVOR trial expected in second half of 2025; advancing therapeutic innovation in post-viral smell loss DELRAY BEACH, Fla., June 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Cyrano Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage regenerative medicine company pioneering the development of treatments for smell loss, today announced its participation in the 2025 BIO International Convention, to be held June 16–19, 2025, at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. Cyrano’s executive leadership team will be onsite to engage with potential partners, investors, and fellow innovators in regenerative medicine and drug delivery. Discussions will focus on the company’s lead program, CYR-064, a novel intranasal spray in development for post-viral hyposmia, and its unique approach to penetrating the olfactory region—a major hurdle in treating sensory dysfunction. CYR-064 is currently being evaluated in the Phase 2 FLAVOR trial, with topline data expected in the second half of 2025. Event:2025 BIO International Convention Date:June 16–19, 2025 Location:Boston Convention & Exhibition Center Registration:https://convention.bio.org
Life Without Smell: Navigating Loss, Finding Resilience
For most people, the sense of smell is a quiet background presence—taken for granted until it’s gone. But for those living with life without smell, the absence of this subtle sense touches nearly every corner of their experience. Whether due to trauma, neurological changes, or post viral smell loss, anosmia (total smell loss) or hyposmia (partial loss) can alter emotional well-being, disrupt daily routines, and disconnect people from the world around them. The Emotional Weight of Anosmia Smell plays a profound role in how we connect to memories, environments, and even other people. It helps us detect danger, enjoy food, bond with loved ones, and engage fully in daily life. Without it, many people report feeling detached—not only from flavors and fragrances but from experiences that once brought them joy. Simple moments like savoring a morning coffee, noticing a partner’s cologne, or enjoying the scent of rain on dry pavement become inaccessible. Over time, this sensory void can give rise to anxiety, isolation, and even depression. When the System Breaks Down To understand life without smell, it helps to know how smell works—and what happens when it doesn’t. The sense of smell originates in the olfactory epithelium, a patch of specialized tissue inside the nose, in the nasal cavity. Here, odor molecules bind to receptors on olfactory neurons, triggering electrical signals that travel to the olfactory bulb and onward to brain regions responsible for memory and emotion. But this delicate pathway can break at multiple points: These disruptions can leave the olfactory system unable to detect or interpret scents, leading to long-term or even permanent smell loss. For many, the experience is not just physical, but profoundly disorienting—altering the way they interact with food, people, and their environment. The Social and Safety Implications Life without smell extends far beyond the loss of sensory enjoyment—it introduces risks and disruptions that affect nearly every corner of daily living. Our sense of smell serves as a quiet but critical early warning system. Without it, people may unknowingly consume spoiled food, miss the presence of smoke or gas leaks, or fail to detect hazardous chemicals. These are situations that can pose real and immediate dangers. The emotional and social impacts are just as significant. Many individuals with anosmia experience appetite loss, leading to unintended weight changes or malnutrition. This is especially common when meals become bland and unappealing. Dining out can be stressful, particularly when one can’t fully engage with the flavors or aromas others are enjoying. Some report feeling emotionally flat, as scent is closely tied to memory and mood. Over time, activities that once brought joy—like cooking, attending social events, or spending time in nature—can feel empty or overwhelming. What Helps: Tips for Living With Smell Loss While no universal cure exists yet, many patients find relief and strength through a combination of education, adaptation, and hope. Here are some practical ways to navigate life without smell: A New Kind of Hope At Cyrano Therapeutics, we understand that life without smell is not just a medical condition—it’s a deeply personal, life-altering experience. Our work in smell loss therapy research is driven by the belief that recovery is not only possible, but within reach. Through our focus on olfactory regeneration and pioneering clinical trials like the evaluation of CYR-064, we are developing future-forward treatments for people living with anosmia and hyposmia. While the journey can feel isolating, no one has to face it alone. With emerging science, growing public awareness, and supportive communities, there is real momentum—and real hope. Cyrano is proud to be part of that progress, working tirelessly to turn the tide on olfactory dysfunction and help people reconnect with smell.
Cyrano Therapeutics Completes Enrollment in Phase 2 FLAVOR Trial of CYR-064 for Post-Viral Smell Loss
Data Expected in Q4 2025 from Study Evaluating the First Potential Therapy for Post-Viral Hyposmia DELRAY BEACH, Fla., April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Cyrano Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage regenerative medicine company pioneering the development of treatments for smell loss, today announced that it has completed enrollment in the Phase 2 FLAVOR trial, a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, multi-dose clinical study evaluating CYR-064, its novel soft-mist nasal spray product candidate, for the treatment of post-viral hyposmia (smell loss). Data from the trial is expected in the fourth quarter of 2025. The FLAVOR trial enrolled 150 patients across 14 clinical sites in the United States to assess the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of CYR-064 for the treatment for post-viral hyposmia compared to placebo over a six-month period. Post-viral hyposmia, a chronic sensory condition with no FDA-approved treatment, is an increasingly prevalent issue affecting more than 60 million people between the US, Europe and Japan, and millions more worldwide. “Completion of enrollment in our FLAVOR trial is a significant milestone in our mission to develop the first potential pharmaceutical treatment for post-viral smell loss,” said Rick Geoffrion, President and CEO of Cyrano Therapeutics, Inc. “We are deeply grateful to the patients and investigators who have contributed to this critical research, and we look forward to analyzing the data, which will be instrumental in guiding the next phase of CYR-064’s development.”
Smell Perception: More Than Meets the Nose
Our sense of smell is often taken for granted—until it’s gone. But beyond the ability to detect pleasant aromas or avoid foul ones, smell perception plays a profound role in how we experience the world. From triggering memories to shaping emotional responses, the olfactory system is more than just a biological curiosity; it’s a gateway to connection, safety, and quality of life. At Cyrano Therapeutics, we understand just how vital this sensory system is. That’s why we’re dedicated to restoring smell perception through advanced therapies that address the root causes of sensory dysfunction. The Anatomy of Smell: Where Perception Begins To understand smell perception, we need to start with the olfactory system—an intricate network that translates airborne molecules into brain signals. When odor molecules enter the nasal passage, they bind to receptors on olfactory neurons located in the olfactory epithelium. These receptors then activate an electrical signal, which travels via the olfactory nerve to the olfactory bulb. The olfactory bulb acts like a relay station, refining these signals and sending them to various brain regions. The result? Our conscious perception of scent. Even minor damage to this pathway can impair our ability to detect and interpret smells. Smell and the Brain: The Emotional and Memory Connection What makes smell perception unique among the senses is its direct connection to the brain’s emotional and memory centers. Odor signals are processed not just in the sensory cortex but also in the amygdala and hippocampus—areas responsible for emotional regulation and memory formation. This is why a whiff of a certain perfume can instantly transport us back to childhood, or why the smell of a favorite meal can evoke powerful emotions. These connections underscore how deeply ingrained smell is in our cognitive and emotional landscape. When Perception Breaks Down: Causes of Dysfunction Unfortunately, the olfactory system is vulnerable to various types of damage. Viral infections (such as COVID-19), head trauma, chronic sinus conditions, and neurodegenerative diseases can all impair smell perception. According to 2022 statistics, millions of people experience anosmia (complete loss of smell) or hyposmia (reduced smell), affecting not just enjoyment of life, but also health and safety. More Than Inconvenient: Safety and Social Impacts Smell perception does more than enhance flavor—it helps keep us safe. It alerts us to dangers like smoke, spoiled food, or gas leaks. Without it, individuals may unknowingly expose themselves to serious hazards. Beyond safety, the social implications of smell loss are equally significant. Food-centered gatherings, shared meals, and cultural traditions often rely on taste and aroma. Losing that connection can lead to social withdrawal, anxiety, and even depression. The Future of Smell Perception Therapy At Cyrano Therapeutics, we’re on the frontlines of developing regenerative therapies that address the root causes of smell loss. Our clinical-stage treatments aim to reawaken the olfactory system by targeting the cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for perception. We believe that restoring smell perception goes beyond a medical goal—it’s about helping people reconnect with life.
Press Release March 2025
Cyrano Therapeutics and Resyca Announce Exclusive License Agreement for Soft Mist Nasal Spray Technology for the Treatment of Chemosensory Dysfunction DELRAY BEACH, Fla and ENSCHEDE, Netherlands, March 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Cyrano Therapeutics, a clinical-stage regenerative medicine company pioneering the development of treatments for smell loss, and Resyca, a leading innovator in soft mist inhaler and soft nasal spray technologies, today announced they have entered into an exclusive licensing agreement for Resyca’s proprietary soft mist nasal spray technology for the treatment of chemosensory disorders, including post-viral smell loss (hyposmia). This agreement marks a major milestone in advancing an innovative treatment to address this critical unmet medical need. Cyrano Therapeutics’ lead therapy, CYR-064, has progressed its Phase 2 FLAVOR clinical study utilizing Resyca’s soft mist nasal spray technology, with top-line data expected in the second half of 2025…..