Healome Therapeutics, a University of Birmingham spinout, has successfully closed an oversubscribed £2 million seed financing round to advance its novel eye-drop technology. The funding was led by Empirical Ventures and will support pre-clinical development and manufacturing scale-up for its ocular surface disease treatments. The company aims to begin first-in-human studies in 2027, marking a significant step forward for its innovative platform.
Addressing a Common Ocular Challenge
A primary challenge in ocular medicine is the poor retention of conventional eye drops, which clear from the eye's surface within minutes. This inefficiency necessitates frequent dosing, often up to 20 times per day, contributing to low patient adherence rates. The issue is particularly prevalent in chronic conditions like dry eye, which affects over 350 million people worldwide.
An Innovative Matrix Solution
Healome's solution is a proprietary matrix that behaves like a liquid when applied but then restructures into a clear, protective layer on the eye. This innovative platform is designed to deliver a wide range of therapeutics, from small molecules to complex biologics. In pre-clinical models, it has demonstrated rapid corneal healing in severely injured corneas with minimal side effects.
The platform is constructed from established pharmaceutical and food-grade polymers, which avoids the complex chemical modifications that can create regulatory hurdles. This manufacturing-friendly approach is protected by five patent families covering the underlying matrix architecture. Healome is developing the technology for various conditions, including dry eye disease, corneal injury, and chronic drug delivery needs.
Focus on Rare Disease Applications
A key focus for the company is the application of its technology for Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), a rare genetic condition. Ocular complications from EB cause chronic pain and a high risk of sight-threatening scarring for patients. Investment from DEBRA Research and Cure EB will directly support Healome's efforts to develop effective, patient-friendly treatments for this unmet need.
Leadership and Strategic Vision
The company was co-founded by a team of experts including Professor Liam Grover, Professor Tony Metcalfe, Dr. Richard Moakes, and Dr. Richard Williams, who serves as CEO. This group combines over 80 years of experience across biomaterials, regenerative medicine, and drug development. Their foundational research originated at the University of Birmingham's Healthcare Technologies Institute and is supported by numerous peer-reviewed publications.
CEO Richard Williams stated that the new financing enables the company to drive its platform toward the clinic, improving outcomes through better adherence. Johnathan Matlock of lead investor Empirical Ventures highlighted the technology's potential as a category-defining platform due to its quantifiable benefits and manufacturing-friendly design. This strong backing underscores confidence in Healome's approach to solving a critical bottleneck in ocular drug delivery.
This £2 million investment marks a pivotal moment for Healome Therapeutics, accelerating its mission to transform ocular surface treatment. The funding will propel the company's proprietary eye-drop matrix technology through crucial pre-clinical and regulatory milestones ahead of planned human trials in 2027. With its versatile platform, Healome is well-positioned to address significant unmet needs in both common and rare eye conditions.