PolyPhotonix to commence US clinical trial after securing investment

The partnership will see UK-based PolyPhotonix undertake FDA-regulated human clinical trials of its Noctura 400 sleep mask.

Prevail Partners, an affiliate of InfoWorks, has agreed to invest significantly in PolyPhotonix on the commencement of the FDA clinical trial as lead investor in a $10M Series A investment round. Successful completion of the FDA clinical trial will open the US market to the treatment.

The Noctura 400 Sleep Mask has the potential to treat and prevent diabetic retinopathy, a condition of diabetic patients that can lead to blindness.

Diabetic retinopathy represents a significant burden of disease for both patients and healthcare systems globally and is a significant cause of blindness in the working age population.

Worn at night, the sleep mask treatment reduces and reverses the effects of diabetic retinopathy by delivering light therapy during a patient's normal hours of sleep in a home-based setting.

The Noctura 400 administers low-level light to reduce the risk of hypoxia and retinal damage in the diabetic patients' eyes.

A recent UK NHS Real World Evaluation undertaken during the COVID pandemic found that 98% of eyes achieved positive clinical outcomes using the Noctura 400 Sleep Mask.

Prevail InfoWorks Inc, is a global company based in Philadelphia in the United States, providing biotech, pharmaceutical, medical device and diagnostics companies with the most innovative and complete technology and service solutions for their clinical development.

The deal will leverage Prevail InfoWorks' capabilities and technological expertise for achieving the highest quality data in the shortest possible time to expedite the clinical trial process.

Richard Kirk, Chief Executive of PolyPhotonix, said: "Our new global strategic partnership with Prevail InfoWorks will be a valuable asset to our vital work in tackling diabetic retinopathy worldwide.

“We are delighted to be working with such a major player in the industry and hope to break into the US market in the very near future. The investment and the forthcoming FDA trial will help support and develop the evidence base for Noctura 400's clinical effectiveness for diabetic retinopathy patients at risk of losing their sight.

“This multimillion-pound deal will accelerate the clinical trial process and advance other indications in our biotechnology pipeline.”

Next steps:

• For further reading about innovative life sciences companies in the North of England and Scotland, check out the Go Further Investment Index. 

 

Article published 25 January 2022.