The oversubscribed round was led by Empirical Ventures, with backing from DEBRA Research, Cure EB, Oshen Bio, and SFC Capital. Healome’s technology creates a clear, protective barrier that restructures upon contact with the eye. By extending the residence time of drugs, the company hopes to address conditions ranging from common dry eye to rare, sight-threatening complications associated with Epidermolysis Bullosa.

Developed at the University of Birmingham, the platform utilizes food-grade and pharmaceutical-grade polymers to avoid the regulatory hurdles of complex chemical modifications. CEO Richard Williams noted that the capital will fuel manufacturing scale-up and regulatory engagement with the MHRA and FDA, with the first-in-human studies slated for 2027. Johnathan Matlock of Empirical Ventures cited the team’s focus on solving the fundamental bottleneck of drug retention as a key driver for the investment, viewing the platform as a potential category-defining solution in ophthalmology.