West Midlands Combined Authority backs spin-out with breakthrough technology for eye diseases

University of Birmingham spin-out Healome Therapeutics, which is developing a novel technology that could radically improve the lives of millions of people with debilitating eye conditions, has secured investment from the West Midlands Combined Authority, via Midlands university-backed investment company Midlands Mindforge.

The announcement was made as Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, visited Healome to see a demonstration of an eye drop that behaves like a liquid when it drops into the eye, and then restructures itself to form a clear, lubricating, protective barrier, known as a matrix, which can be used to deliver drugs to the surface of the eye without being ‘blinked away’

Healome was spun out from the University of Birmingham to commercialise the eye drop matrix, which forms a therapeutic bandage that offers protection, lubrication, and enhanced drug retention on the surface on the eye. The company was co-founded by Professor Liam Grover, Professor Tony Metcalfe, Dr Richard Moakes and Dr Richard Williams, who is now the CEO of Healome, from the University’s Institute of Translational Medicine.

David Coleman, CEO, University of Birmingham Enterprise said: "Healome is built on exceptional research and the support provided by Midlands Mindforge, the Mayor, the WMCA and other partners demonstrates what can be achieved when the region aligns behind scientific innovation, creating the conditions to attract investment at scale and help breakthrough technologies reach the market."

Richard Parker added: "It’s why we provided funding into Midlands Mindforge, so we can turn breakthrough ideas like this into strong businesses that create skilled jobs and improve lives.

“Investments like these also showcase the quality of what our region can offer, helping to attract even more capital investment into these innovative companies. That’s the real value I want to add to our economy while cementing the West Midlands’ reputation as a global innovator.”

Together with other private and third sector backers, Healome has raised £2m to continue preclinical development and regulatory engagement and scale-up manufacturing leading to real-world trials of the eye drops in 2027.

The other funders include Empirical Ventures (lead investor), Oshen Bio, SFC Capital and charities DEBRA Research and Cure EB. Both charities support people with EB, a group of rare, inherited genetic skin disorders that cause extreme skin fragility, painful blistering, and vulnerability to minor friction.

Treating rare and common eye conditions

Public awareness of EB has grown following the Netflix documentary Matter of Time, which highlighted the unmet needs faced by patients and families living with the disease.

The eye drop could also be used by millions more people who suffer from glaucoma and dry eye disease.

Healome CEO Dr Richard Williams said: "To be one of Midlands Mindforge's first investments and one of the first in the West Midlands - is a proud moment for the whole Healome team and the wider group of stakeholders who've been part of our journey so far. A regionally focused fund built to back strong deep science and engineering commercial opportunities is exactly what the region needs right now.

“The quality of R&D here in the West Midlands, and across the UK, has long been recognised; the harder challenge is turning that science into product and keeping the value here once it reaches the market. By widening access to capital and expertise for local companies, Midlands Mindforge helps them accelerate to market and scale from the region.”