Healome turns wound science into new eye-care treatment

Healome Therapeutics, a University of Birmingham spin-out, is developing a different option: an eye drop that forms a transparent, lubricating "ocular bandage", over the eye without impacting vision.

The startup, founded in 2021, attracted the attention of investors, closing an oversubscribed £2 million seed round that positions the company for its first clinical trial in 2027 and subsequent Series A funding. 

The round was led by Empirical Ventures, a deep-tech and science fund, with participation from venture–philanthropic backers focused on the rare disease epidermolysis bullosa (EB) as well as Midlands Mindforge, the investment company co-founded by eight research-intensive universities and backing scientific startups in the Midlands.

Richard Williams, CEO and co-founder of Healome, says this investor syndicate brings much more than cash. “What’s great about this group is that we’ve not only got the capital, but some very high-level expertise and skill in commercialising biomaterials-based innovation like ours.”

Healome’s platform emerges directly from Birmingham’s longstanding strength in wound healing science. The company span out from the lab of Professor Liam Grover, which has a history of developing materials that can help wounds heal faster. That expertise in controlling scarring and tissue repair has been translated from skin to the cornea, addressing eye conditions such as those faced by EB patients, where genetically fragile corneas are at high risk of scarring.

Healome Therapeutics was the first West Midlands business to receive investment through Midlands Mindforge. Part funded by Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, through the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), and UKRI Research England, Midlands Mindforge was set up to support early-stage technology businesses, and create the conditions for them to scale and thrive, right here in the Midlands.

The Enterprise team and Birmingham Research Park have been central to making this translation possible, says Dr Williams. “Enterprise played a big part in helping position our business to the point where we could complete that round and provide the investors with confidence,” he says.

The company also benefits from a workspace at Birmingham Research Park, where a collaborative atmosphere allows startup founders to share knowledge over water cooler moments and help each other on the practical challenges of scaling up a small company.

“Being in the park is great for us,” says Dr Williams. “You never know where there's someone down the corridor who can fix a problem you've been thinking about for weeks. I've had suggestions of manufacturers and regulatory consultants, and we have a chat about our experiences. We all help each other out.”

A continued connection with the University is also helping with the early build-out of the team. Healome’s co-founders still lecture on the University’s Masters in Innovation course and this has proved “a good way of getting access to talent”, says Dr Williams. The company recently took on two interns who had been inspired to get in touch after becoming aware of the startup through this route.