Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, 13th June 2024
Newcastle firm, LightOx awarded funding to progress ground-breaking new wound treatment technology
£100,000 of funding has been awarded to Newcastle-based life sciences company, LightOx to accelerate development of a ground-breaking new treatment for wounds which could improve the lives of millions of people each year.
The team at LightOx has created a light-activated treatment designed to destroy bacteria which can prevent wounds from healing normally.
Innovate UK funding as part of the Biomedical Catalyst will now allow LightOx to carry out a feasibility study, taking an important step towards bringing the new treatment to market.
Dr Sam Whitehouse, CEO of LightOx, explained:
“Every year, the NHS treats millions of people with wounds, including chronic wounds which fail to heal normally. These chronic wounds, as well as causing dangerous complications like sepsis and amputation, are expensive to treat, with costs amounting to billions of pounds annually.
“As more bacteria become resistant to antibiotics, it’s crucial that we develop new and better treatment options and this funding brings us one step closer to making our light-activated treatment available to clinicians and patients worldwide.”
Currently, 1.2 million people in the UK – and more than 22 million people worldwide – develop a chronic wound which becomes infected each year. This new treatment, called LXD231, not only destroys antibiotic-resistant bacteria like MRSA, but also enables bacteria to not become resistant to it.
LXD231 takes the form of a gel which is applied to wounds and then illuminated with an LED light to activate it.
For the feasibility study, LightOx will partner with experts from Health Innovation West Coast, which is part of the innovation arm of the NHS, to carry out an economic assessment of the product and gather feedback from NHS staff, patient groups and health professionals.
The study will focus on the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers which are one of the most challenging types of chronic wound and which can cause excruciating pain and loss of movement.
Prof Carrie Ambler, LightOx CSO, added:
“Wound infections are increasingly common and difficult to resolve, largely due to the ‘silent epidemic’ of drug-resistant bacteria and they can have a devastating impact on people’s lives.
“We’re an award-winning team with a track record for developing novel, light-based technologies for use in healthcare and ultimately, we want to see our work make a positive difference to the millions of people affected by chronic wounds around the world.”
LightOx’s feasibility funding is from the Innovate UK Biomedical Catalyst – Innovate UK’s flagship grant funding mechanism which helps SMEs test and develop innovative health and care solutions across life sciences.
LightOx specialises in developing light-based therapies including light-activated chemotherapy for the treatment of oral cancer. Find out more at www.lightox.co.uk.
Eva Dias – LightOx Chemist
About LightOx
LightOx is a leading innovator in light activated technologies and dedicated to developing cutting-edge drug products that improve patient quality of life. With a focus on research, development, and a commitment to bringing new products to market in the space LightOx continues to shape the future of wound care.
About Innovate UK
Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), is the UK’s innovation agency. It works to create a better future by inspiring, involving and investing in businesses developing life-changing innovations. Its mission is to help companies to grow through their development and commercialisation of new products, processes and services, supported by an outstanding innovation ecosystem that is agile, inclusive and easy to navigate.
Innovate UK: inspiring business innovation.
