Terneuzen, Nederland
29 May 2025

On May 1, 2025, a new study from the Dermatology Clinic in Bad Bentheim, Germany, was presented at the German Dermatology Congress (DDG) in Berlin (abstract in German under number FV02/07 at: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ddg.15782_g ).

In this prospective pilot study, 150 patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis were randomized into three treatment groups, receiving either UVB narrow band, UVA1, or blue light therapy. Blue light therapy uses UV-free light in the 420 to 490 nm wavelength range, eliminating typical side effects such as solar dermatitis and reducing long-term risks like carcinogenicity due to the absence of UV radiation. The findings revealed significant improvements across all groups in itching and clinical scores. Notably, blue light therapy demonstrated for the first time non-inferiority to both UV-based therapies. Improvements in quality of life were also consistent across all treatment arms.

Due to the upcoming EU ban on fluorescent UV lamps set for February 2027, and the resulting impact on global availability and rising costs of UV lamps, traditional UV phototherapy is expected to come under significant pressure. This makes these study’s results particularly relevant: full-body blue LED therapy is emerging as a promising and accessible treatment option for patients with atopic dermatitis.

Furthermore, clinical outcomes significantly improve when phototherapy is combined with balneotherapy, in which the patient takes a saltwater bath prior to light treatment. Blue light therapy therefore presents a valuable opportunity for physicians aiming to expand treatment options for eczema, particularly for the large population of moderate to severe patients who lack access to biologics and JAK inhibitors due to high costs or personal preferences.

On May 22, 2025, the OP-Zuid stimulus program has awarded €1 million for the development of a next-generation full-body blue light device, which will enable patients to receive treatment in the comfort of their own homes.

A consortium consisting of Unitron Systems (IJzendijke), DermaTeam (Middelburg), Customer Innovation Center (Roosendaal), and Phlecs Research and Development (Terneuzen) will collaborate on developing this connected home device to treat patients suffering from eczema and itching.

• Unitron Systems is responsible for the development of the device.
• DermaTeam is managing the clinical and product validation.
• Customer Innovation Center guides the implementation into the healthcare system.
• Phlecs leads the project and work on market access preparation.

Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is a common, chronic skin condition marked by dryness, red scaly patches, intense itching, and skin discomfort. In the Netherlands, approximately 400,000 people—around 2.5% of the population—are affected, including 160,000 with moderate to severe forms. Persistent itching often leads to scratching, which worsens the condition and fuels the “itch-scratch-itch” cycle, significantly impacting physical health, mental well-being, and quality of life.

Current treatments can be inconvenient, cause side effects, or be prohibitively expensive. In contrast, blue light therapy offers a drug-free, UV-free, clinically validated solution that can be used at home. The patented Phlecs full-body blue light home device is expected to launch in the U.S. in 2027 and in Europe in 2028, offering a new standard of care for eczema patients worldwide.

Dermatology clinics across Europe already have access to the full-body professional blue light system, enabling them to offer this advanced, UV-free therapy to patients today.

David Aubert, CEO co-founder from Phlecs:

“We are proud to demonstrate for the first time that blue light therapy is as effective as UV therapy—while being significantly safer. We’re equally thrilled to receive support from the OP-Zuid program, which will help us make our innovative technology platform more accessible to both patients and dermatologists.
UV-free blue light therapy offers a safe, effective treatment option for inflammatory skin diseases and represents a viable alternative to UV phototherapy, which will be phased out with the EU ban on fluorescent lamps in February 2027. This therapy not only holds strong clinical promise but also has the potential to reduce healthcare costs significantly, both in the Netherlands and internationally.
With such a strong consortium in place, we are confident that we have all the necessary expertise to develop a clinically effective and user-friendly solution that meets the needs of both patients and healthcare providers. Beyond healthcare innovation, this project will also contribute to the economic growth of the Province of Zeeland, boosting product development, clinical research, and local manufacturing, and leading to the creation of new jobs.”