Description of Business and Basis of Presentation	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Description of Business and Basis of Presentation	1. Description of Business and Basis of Presentation Description of Business Otonomy, Inc. (Otonomy or the Company) was incorporated in the state of Delaware on May 6, 2008. Otonomy is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of innovative therapeutics for neurotology. The Company pioneered the application of drug delivery technology to the ear and is utilizing that expertise and proprietary position to develop products that achieve sustained drug exposure from a single local administration. The Company’s primary focus is currently on the advancement of three programs in its broad pipeline: OTO-313 in Phase 2 for tinnitus; OTO-413 in Phase 2a for hearing loss; and OTO-825, a gene therapy for congenital hearing loss, in investigational new drug (IND)-enabling activities. Additionally, the Company is conducting preclinical development of OTO-510 for otoprotection and OTO-6XX for severe hearing loss. Basis of Presentation The Company follows Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 205-40, Presentation of Financial Statements—Going Concern, which requires that management perform a two-step analysis over its ability to continue as a going concern. Management must first evaluate whether there are conditions and events that raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern and to meet its obligations as they become due within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued (step 1). If management concludes that substantial doubt is raised, management is also required to consider whether its plans alleviate that doubt (step 2). The financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The Company has incurred operating losses and negative cash flows from operating activities since inception. As of December 31, 2021, the Company had cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $77.4 million, outstanding debt of $16.0 million and an accumulated deficit of $555.8 million. The Company anticipates that it will continue to incur net losses into the foreseeable future as it: (i) develops and seeks regulatory approvals for its product candidates; and (ii) works to develop additional product candidates through research and development programs. When additional financing is required, the Company anticipates that it will seek additional funding through future debt and/or equity financings or other sources, such as potential collaboration agreements. Additional capital may not be available in sufficient amounts or on reasonable terms, if at all. If the Company is not able to secure adequate additional funding, if or when necessary, the Company may be forced to make reductions in spending, extend payment terms with suppliers, liquidate assets where possible, and/or suspend or curtail planned programs. Any of these actions could materially harm the Company’s business, results of operations, and future prospects. The Company believes that its existing cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments will be sufficient to fund its operations for a period of at least twelve months from the date of this report.

Description of Business and Basis of Presentation

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Description of Business and Basis of Presentation

1. Description of Business and Basis of Presentation

Description of Business

Otonomy, Inc. (Otonomy or the Company) was incorporated in the state of Delaware on May 6, 2008. Otonomy is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of innovative therapeutics for neurotology. The Company pioneered the application of drug delivery technology to the ear and is utilizing that expertise and proprietary position to develop products that achieve sustained drug exposure from a single local administration. The Company’s primary focus is currently on the advancement of three programs in its broad pipeline: OTO-313 in Phase 2 for tinnitus; OTO-413 in Phase 2a for hearing loss; and OTO-825, a gene therapy for congenital hearing loss, in investigational new drug (IND)-enabling activities. Additionally, the Company is conducting preclinical development of OTO-510 for otoprotection and OTO-6XX for severe hearing loss.

Basis of Presentation

The Company follows Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 205-40, Presentation of Financial Statements—Going Concern, which requires that management perform a two-step analysis over its ability to continue as a going concern. Management must first evaluate whether there are conditions and events that raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern and to meet its obligations as they become due within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued (step 1). If management concludes that substantial doubt is raised, management is also required to consider whether its plans alleviate that doubt (step 2).

The financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The Company has incurred operating losses and negative cash flows from operating activities since inception. As of December 31, 2021, the Company had cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $77.4 million, outstanding debt of $16.0 million and an accumulated deficit of $555.8 million. The Company anticipates that it will continue to incur net losses into the foreseeable future as it: (i) develops and seeks regulatory approvals for its product candidates; and (ii) works to develop additional product candidates through research and development programs. When additional financing is required, the Company anticipates that it will seek additional funding through future debt and/or equity financings or other sources, such as potential collaboration agreements. Additional capital may not be available in sufficient amounts or on reasonable terms, if at all. If the Company is not able to secure adequate additional funding, if or when necessary, the Company may be forced to make reductions in spending, extend payment terms with suppliers, liquidate assets where possible, and/or suspend or curtail planned programs. Any of these actions could materially harm the Company’s business, results of operations, and future prospects. The Company believes that its existing cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments will be sufficient to fund its operations for a period of at least twelve months from the date of this report.