Conventional eye drops often fail due to rapid ocular clearance, forcing patients into rigid dosing regimens that can reach 20 applications per day. This inefficiency results in poor treatment adherence, leaving a significant gap in a global ocular surface disease market valued at over $12 billion. Healome’s solution utilizes structured polymers that transition from liquid to a protective, lubricating matrix upon contact with the eye. This platform aims to extend drug residence time, allowing for more effective delivery of both small molecules and complex biologics.
In section Releases
Healome Therapeutics Raises £2 Million to Tackle Ocular Disease
Birmingham-based Healome Therapeutics has secured £2 million in an oversubscribed seed round to advance its proprietary eye-drop matrix technology. Led by Empirical Ventures, the funding will accelerate the company’s transition from pre-clinical development toward first-in-human clinical trials targeted for 2027.
The investment round includes participation from DEBRA Research, Cure EB, Oshen Bio, and SFC Capital. A primary focus for the company is the application of this technology to Epidermolysis Bullosa, a rare genetic condition that causes painful ocular complications for thousands of patients. By avoiding complex chemical modifications, Healome’s architecture relies on established food-grade polymers, which the company expects will simplify manufacturing and regulatory pathways with both the MHRA and FDA. The founding team, led by CEO Dr. Richard Williams, brings together decades of expertise from the University of Birmingham to shift the standard of care for chronic ocular surface conditions.
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