Key Takeaways

Healome Therapeutics, a University of Birmingham spinout developing a proprietary eye-drop matrix platform for ocular surface diseases, has closed an oversubscribed £2 million ($2.7 million) seed financing round to support preclinical development and advance the technology toward first-in-human studies anticipated in 2027.

The financing was led by Empirical Ventures, with participation from DEBRA Research, Cure EB, Oshen Bio and existing investor SFC Capital. According to the company, the proceeds will fund preclinical development, manufacturing scale-up, regulatory activities and preparation for clinical testing.

Healome's platform is designed to overcome one of ophthalmology's persistent challenges: the rapid clearance of conventional eye drops from the ocular surface. Standard topical formulations are typically eliminated within minutes, often requiring frequent administration that can negatively affect patient adherence and therapeutic outcomes.

"Eye drops remain the primary delivery mechanism in ophthalmology, yet conventional formulations clear from the ocular surface within minutes. Using our matrix to extend residence time of novel and existing therapeutics opens the door to reduced dosing, better adherence and ultimately improved outcomes across a range of indications. This financing lets us drive the platform toward the clinic," said Richard Williams, PhD, chief executive officer of Healome Therapeutics.

The company estimates that treatment adherence in chronic-use populations can fall as low as 20% because of demanding dosing schedules, which may require administration up to 20 times daily. Healome also noted that dry eye disease affects more than 350 million people worldwide, representing a global market exceeding $5 billion, while the broader ocular surface disease market is valued at more than $12 billion.

Healome's technology uses structured pharmaceutical- and food-grade polymers that remain liquid during administration before reorganizing on the ocular surface into a transparent lubricating and protective matrix. The company says the platform can prolong ocular residence time while serving as a delivery vehicle for therapeutics ranging from small molecules to biologics.

In preclinical studies, the platform has been used to deliver an anti-scarring biologic in a model of severe corneal injury and infection, resulting in rapid corneal healing with minimal adverse effects, according to Healome. The platform is being developed across multiple indications, including dry eye disease, ocular surface inflammation, corneal injury, chronic drug delivery and rare diseases associated with severe ocular surface damage. Healome holds five patent families covering the matrix architecture.

The company noted that the technology avoids complex chemical modifications by using established pharmaceutical- and food-grade polymers assembled into proprietary structures, an approach intended to simplify manufacturing and regulatory development.

Part of the new financing will support development of therapies targeting ocular complications associated with epidermolysis bullosa (EB), a rare inherited disorder that affects approximately 500,000 people globally.

"Corneal abrasions in people with severe forms of EB lead to temporary blindness, excruciating pain and the need for hourly eye drops applications throughout the day," said Sharmila Collins, founder trustee at Cure EB. "To have an eye drop that requires less frequent dosing would improve the quality of life of those suffering the ocular manifestations of EB."