Living with eczema is more than just occasional flare-ups. It's an ongoing struggle with relentless itching, redness, and inflammation that can disrupt every aspect of life. For millions, these symptoms aren't just a nuisance. They can interfere with everything from sleep to social interactions. While many turn to topical steroids for relief, these treatments often come with undesirable side effects like thinning skin, a greasy residue, and stinging sensations. That's where Carocell Bio is making a difference with its peptide-based therapy designed to provide lasting relief from eczema, all without the harmful side effects commonly associated with steroids.
Carocell Bio's innovation is built around a patent-protected peptide that directly addresses the root cause of eczema: inflammation. Unlike traditional treatments, which merely manage flare-ups, this peptide prevents inflammation from reactivating after an initial episode has been controlled. In addition to its efficacy in treating eczema, the peptide has also shown potential in delaying the visible signs of skin aging.
For Dr. Mike Davies, the inspiration to create Carocell Bio came from a very personal place. "My wife and two daughters have eczema, and they've always been treated with topical steroids," Mike shares. "They hate topical steroids. They thin the skin and make it streaky, and the ointments they're prescribed cause the skin to be oily and uncomfortable. They begged me to do something differently, and that's how it all started."
The frustration that Mike's family faced with existing treatments spurred him to take action. As a medical professional and entrepreneur, he recognized the need for a safer, more effective alternative. With the support of his family's experiences, Mike set out to develop something that would address eczema's underlying cause without the drawbacks of traditional treatments.
Starting his career as a pediatric cardiac surgeon at Great Ormond Street Hospital, Mike's initial focus was on saving young lives. However, his path took an unexpected turn when a chance meeting with a Pfizer representative led him into the world of pharmaceuticals.
"While I was presenting my MD thesis at a conference, some guys from Pfizer came up to me and said they were interested in hearing more," Mike recalls. "A couple of weeks later, they offered me a job, which began my transition from clinical medicine into the pharmaceutical world."
From there, Mike worked at Pfizer and later Quintiles (now IQVIA), gaining invaluable experience in both big pharma and the biotech sector. It was through this experience that Mike recognized his ability to drive innovation in healthcare, setting the stage for the creation of Carocell Bio. After years of building expertise in the pharmaceutical industry, Mike pivoted to biotech, where he could create the very change he wanted to see in the world of eczema treatment.
Though Carocell Bio is a small, early-stage company, it's powered by a passionate and dedicated team that's committed to transforming eczema care. At present, the team consists of six core members, each contributing their expertise to the company's progress.
"I'm the only founder of Carocell Bio, but I'm fortunate to have an incredible team supporting me," says Mike. "We have John Nicholson, our chairman, who brings a wealth of experience, and Ashley George, our financial director, who's key to our day-to-day operations. We also have advisors like Yvonne Perry from Strathclyde University, an expert in nanoparticles, who plays a crucial role in our research."
As the company continues to grow, Mike emphasizes the importance of building a sustainable team. "We've deliberately stayed small until we secure the investment needed for expansion. We want to make sure we can scale effectively without having to downsize due to financial constraints."
With its peptide showing great promise, Carocell Bio is looking to begin clinical trials in the next 18-24 months. The goal is to achieve clinical proof of concept in around four years, after which they plan to license the treatment to a larger pharmaceutical company. This would enable Carocell Bio to focus on expanding its product pipeline, with potential follow-on therapies for other skin conditions and an exciting future in cosmeceuticals.
"We've been progressing from an idea to a potential clinical breakthrough with the help of Innovate UK grants and seed funding from Deepbridge Capital," Mike explains. "As we move forward, we're looking to secure additional investment to drive us through the next phases of development."
Carocell Bio's journey is one of passion, innovation, and the drive to create lasting change in the lives of those who suffer from eczema and other skin conditions. With a novel peptide therapy that not only targets eczema but could also delay skin aging, the company's potential impact is far-reaching. As they continue to develop their breakthrough treatments and expand their team, Carocell Bio is positioning itself to be a leader in the next generation of dermatological care.