Polyphotonix win national business award for innovation

The Noctura 400 is worn during sleep hours and treats Diabetic Retinopathy, one of the most common causes of blindness in the western world. The mask delivers a precise dose of light therapy during a patient’s normal hours of sleep. It comes in two parts – a plastic ​“Pod” part, which is inserted into a soft cushioned Fabric Mask. The Pod contains the light sources which, when worn, emits light into the eyes through closed eyelids. The treatment is non-invasive and the mask is programmed to administer the correct dose of light each night as part of a continuing therapy.

The Noctura 400 will revolutionise the treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy. There are currently two commonly used treatments. One involves frequent intraocular injections directly into the eye, this can be very unpleasant, and currently costs in excess of £10,000 per eye per year. The other is a laser treatment that effectively cauterises the affected and damaged blood vessels in the macula; the treatment is not permanent and only delays the inevitable progress of the disease, normally this treatment is only performed a small number of times on a patient. The Noctura 400 treatment is provided at a fraction of the cost and creates the opportunity to provide affordable treatment to the millions who are affected across the globe.

Now entering their 13th year, the National Business Awards connect UK business leaders through its annual ceremony and year-round thought leadership programme to celebrate enterprise excellence. Prime Minister David Cameron gave an opening address to the 1,200 attendees at the awards ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London. He said: ​“You are the people who keep the wheels turning. You are the people who don’t just create wealth and work, but hope and opportunity. For that, I want to say thank you. And congratulations to all those who have been shortlisted.”

Richard Kirk, CEO of PolyPhotonix added: ​“PolyPhotonix are proud to have won the National Business Award for Innovation. To have PolyPhotonix win such a prestigious award is great recognition for the hard work that the team has put into creating a revolutionary therapy. The Noctura 400 has the potential to transform the millions of lives that are affected by Diabetic Retinopathy around the world. The story of PolyPhotonix and the Noctura 400 is a great example of world class innovation from the UK and one we are immensely proud of.”

Hosted by Sky News’ Dermot Murnaghan, the awards welcomed Olympic sailing champion Sir Ben Ainslie as keynote speaker as well as entertainment from impressionist Rory Bremner. The winners across all 17 categories included IKEA UK, which triumphed in the ICAEW Sustainable Business of the Year category, ITV, winner of the QBE FTSE 100 Business of the Year award, and Bulldog Skincare for Men, victor in the Santander Small to Medium-Sized Business of the Year category.

Entries listed in the Innovation Category were as follows:

• British Gas Service & Repair
• Heathrow Airport Limited
• MHA Lighting
• Novacroft
• Nuaire
• PolyPhotonix
• Serious Games International
• Steelite International PLC
• UK Power Networks
• Wicksteed Leisure Ltd