#United Kingdom #Birmingham #Healome Therapeutics #Empirical Ventures #Eye Drop Technology

Healome Therapeutics Secures Significant Funding to Enhance Eye Care

Healome Therapeutics, a biotechnology company spun out from the University of Birmingham, has successfully closed an initial funding round of £2 million, which saw strong oversubscription. The funding round was led by Empirical Ventures, alongside contributions from notable investors including DEBRA Research, Cure EB, Oshen Bio, and existing investor SFC Capital. This investment aims to propel the company's advancements in its innovative eye drop matrix technology, designed to improve ocular surface disease treatments, with preliminary human studies anticipated to commence in 2027.

Eye Drop Technology's Challenges

Conventional eye drops face a significant challenge in terms of efficacy; they tend to evaporate or wash away from the eye's surface within minutes, necessitating frequent applications—up to 20 times a day in some cases. This high frequency results in poor adherence to treatment regimens, with adherence rates dropping as low as 20% in chronic use populations. Eye dryness, the most prevalent condition affecting the ocular surface, represents a substantial market opportunity, valued at over $5 billion globally, impacting more than 350 million individuals worldwide. The broader market for ocular surface disease exceeds $12 billion across various indications.

Innovative Solution by Healome

Healome's eye drop matrix technology retains a structured polymer matrix that transitions from a liquid to a viscous, clear protective layer upon application. This novel approach promotes longer retention of medication on the ocular surface while delivering a vast array of drug types, including small molecules and complex biological products. Preliminary data from preclinical models have shown its effectiveness in delivering an anti-scarring biological drug, which resulted in rapid corneal healing with minimal side effects.

Healome’s platform is being developed for multiple applications, including the treatment of dry eye disease, ocular surface inflammation, corneal injuries, rare diseases associated with severe ocular surface damage, and chronic drug delivery. The company holds five patent families covering the underlying matrix architecture, based on established pharmaceutical-grade polymers structured in proprietary designs, minimizing regulatory and manufacturing challenges.

Addressing Rare Diseases

One of the rare diseases Healome targets is Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), affecting approximately 500,000 individuals globally, with 5% to 20% of those experiencing severe ocular complications that can lead to chronic pain and recurrent corneal abrasions, risking vision loss. The unmet needs of families and patients dealing with EB have been spotlighted in the Netflix documentary, Matter of Time. Investments from DEBRA Research and Cure EB are expected to bolster Healome's efforts in addressing such ocular complications associated with the disease.

The Founding Team's Vision

Healome was co-founded by a distinguished team including Professor Liam Grover, Professor Tony Metcalfe, Dr. Richard Moakes, and Dr. Richard Williams, who serves as the CEO. Collectively, the team carries over 80 years of expertise in biomaterials, regenerative medicine, and drug development, supported by six peer-reviewed publications originating from the University of Birmingham's Institute of Health Technologies.

Richard Williams expressed optimism about the potential of Healome’s platform, noting, "Our matrix technology could significantly extend the residency time of both new and existing therapies, unlocking possibilities for reduced dosages, improved adherence, and ultimately better patient outcomes across various ocular conditions. This funding enables us to push the platform toward clinical phases."

Johnathan Matlock of Empirical Ventures added, "Healome addresses a quantifiable bottleneck in drug residency time on the ocular surface with a straightforward polymer-based manufacturing approach. The data and methodology affirm our belief that this technology represents a category-defining platform rather than a mere incremental formulation. Its potential ranges from dry eye issues to rare ocular diseases, making it highly applicable across the spectrum."

Dr. Christoph Coch, CEO of DEBRA Research, pointed out the widespread implications of EB beyond skin, affecting vision and daily life quality. "Currently, there are no specific treatments for these ocular complications, making our support of Healome's initiative crucial in facilitating effective therapy development tailored to patient needs," he stated.

Key Company Facts

• - Company: Healome Therapeutics
• - Founded: 2021
• - Headquarters: Birmingham, UK
• - Sector: Ocular Drug Delivery
• - Founders: Professors Liam Grover, Tony Metcalfe, Dr. Richard Moakes, Dr. Richard Williams
• - Funding Achieved: £2 million (oversubscribed)
• - Lead Investor: Empirical Ventures
• - Participating Investors: DEBRA Research, Cure EB, Oshen Bio, SFC Capital
• - Target for First Human Administration: 2027
• - Intellectual Property: Patents granted in Japan and South Korea, pending in other major markets.

For more information, visit the Healome Therapeutics website at www.healometx.com.