Polyphotonix win IET Award

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. Nothing is inserted into the eyes – the treatment is non-invasive. The mask is programmed to administer the correct dose of light each night as part of a continuing therapy.

The Noctura 400® treatment 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.

Richard Kirk, CEO of PolyPhotonix added: ​“PolyPhotonix are thrilled to have won the 2014 Start up of the Year Award at the IET Innovation Awards . The recognition proves that the UK does indeed have the capability and mindset to compete on a global scale, regardless of the size of your company. If you surround your innovation with the right people and infrastructure to scale up, then anything is possible. There have been a lot of technology set-backs along the way, however the team have created a revolutionary therapy that will transform lives, and it has all been created within the UK.”

Founded in 2009 and based at CPI, PolyPhotonix is a biophotonic company developing light therapy treatments for macular eye disease. In just six years PolyPhotonix has grown from one employee with an idea, to manufacturing a phototherapy eye mask that will save the NHS in excess of £1 billion a year.