Google’s data-crunching mavens at GV buy in to Decibel’s R&D program for hearing loss, tinnitus
GV, better known as the group once named Google Ventures, is buying into Boston-based Decibel Therapeutics. But we don’t know just how much it bought in for.

In a statement out Thursday morning Decibel CEO Steve Holtzman says GV made an unspecified equity investment in the company. Just as importantly, the venture group is also contributing its know-how on analyzing large volumes of data, which Decibel relies on to help steer its development work in a still largely uncharted territory like hearing loss and tinnitus.
Holtzman, an ex-Biogen exec who a year ago joined the recent migration back into the biotech startup world, had this to say in a prepared statement:
Elucidating the complex and multifactorial biological basis for hearing loss amidst an extraordinarily large and diverse population requires the application of advanced big data sciences to collect, analyze, and interpret massive data sets. GV excels at working with leading biotechnology companies where big data sciences will aid in the discovery of transformative medicines and we look forward to working together in our quest to create a world in which the benefits and joys of hearing are available to all.