Phlecs closes funding round for launch of next-generation home-use phototherapy in Europe

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Vlissingen, The Netherlands – November 4, 2026 –

Phlecs Light & Health has successfully closed a new funding round to accelerate the development and commercialization of its next-generation home-use phototherapy solution. In the Netherlands, more than 800,000 patients suffer from eczema and psoriasis. Our innovative blue light therapy offers an effective, safe, and convenient treatment option. By expanding into other European markets and the United States, we aim to reach a potential patient population of more than 50 million people.

The funding is a significant milestone for Phlecs and provides the necessary resources to further develop the new home therapy platform, from product development and clinical validation to regulatory procedures, in view of the planned launch in Europe in 2028.

The funding round brings together Impuls Zeeland and a group of private investors from Zeeland within the AddVision network. This combines regional investment expertise with experienced private capital committed to innovation in healthcare.

A shared ambition for sustainable healthcare

Inflammatory skin conditions are chronic conditions that can have a major impact on sleep, daily activities, and quality of life. For many patients, treatment requires continuous or repeated care over many years.

By enabling more treatments at home, Phlecs aims to contribute to a broader transition towards accessible, patient-centered, and sustainable healthcare, while maintaining close collaboration between patients and their care providers.

The successful funding round enables Phlecs and its partners to continue this journey with the ambition to make the next generation of home-use phototherapy available to European patients starting in 2028.

Phototherapy closer to the patient

Phlecs is developing a new generation of home-use phototherapy, designed to make effective light therapy more accessible to patients outside the hospital or dermatology clinic.

The home-use device is being developed in collaboration with a consortium of partners from Zeeland and West Brabant. The development program is supported by an OPZuid grant co-financed by the European Union, the Dutch government, and the Province of Zeeland. It brings together expertise in the fields of medical technology, clinical care, product development, and implementation in healthcare.

The goal is to create a patient-friendly home treatment solution based on Phlecs’ medical blue light technology. This solution offers a UV-free and drug-free approach to inflammatory skin conditions.

Traditional UV phototherapy has played an important role in dermatology for decades and can offer an effective treatment for patients with eczema and psoriasis. However, widespread home use remains a challenge, as the fluorescent lamps traditionally used to generate therapeutic UV light are increasingly suffering from European restrictions on mercury-containing lighting technologies.

Phlecs views this transition as an opportunity to develop a new generation of phototherapy based on modern LED technology, specifically designed for the needs of patients being treated at home.

From clinical innovation to home treatment

Phlecs’ technology utilizes medical blue light instead of ultraviolet radiation. The company has already developed whole-body blue light systems for professional use and is now translating its technology and clinical experience into a dedicated platform for home use.

The new generation builds on Phlecs’ experience in treating inflammatory skin conditions and introduces technologies aimed at improving treatment control, ease of use, and personalization in the home environment.

David Aubert, CEO of Phlecs Light & Health, said:

“Completing this funding round is a significant step for Phlecs. It enables us to transition from a proven clinical technology to a new generation of phototherapy that can ultimately be used by patients at home. Together with our investors, our regional partners, and the OPZuid consortium, we now have the foundation to bring this innovation through the development and clinical validation phases to the European market.” The funding will support the next development phases, including the engineering and industrialization of the device for home use, clinical studies, regulatory certification, and preparations for the market launch.

Michel Carol, Project Manager at AddVision and leader of the Zeeland Informal Investing Network, added:

“The Zeeland Informal Investing Network (ZIIN) bridges the gap between Zeeland investors and innovative Zeeland companies. Entrepreneurs play a crucial role in the financing and further development of young and innovative companies.

Phlecs’ ambition and plans align with ZIIN’s vision; it is a young and innovative company with great potential for Zeeland. The development of the new platform for home therapy involves close collaboration with a large number of partners from Zeeland and West Brabant. Therefore, the investors are happy to support Phlecs in this development and its commercial rollout.”

Rosco Ephraim, Investment Manager at Inpuls Zeeland, added:

“Phlecs demonstrates how technological innovation and societal impact come together. Through Impuls Zeeland, we supported Phlecs at an early stage with financing and their grant application, and subsequently gave them a warm introduction to the Zeeland network. This has led to a great collaboration and a joint investment with Zeeland investors. Our role therefore goes beyond financing alone: ​​we connect entrepreneurs with the right knowledge, partners, and investors to advance both innovations and the Zeeland economy.”

About Phlecs Light & Health

Phlecs Light & Health is a Zeeland-based medical technology company that develops innovative light-based treatments for inflammatory skin conditions. Building on technology from Philips Research, Phlecs develops medical blue light solutions designed to offer a UV-free and drug-free treatment option for conditions such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and chronic itching.

The company collaborates with healthcare providers, research institutions, and technology partners to develop phototherapy from clinical treatment to personalized treatment at home.

About AddVision:

AddVision stands for creating regional impact by making a significant contribution to the various transition issues in Zeeland.

Together with KplusV, AddVision is the driving force behind the informal investors network in Zeeland.

Informal investors are entrepreneurs who make risk-bearing investments in young and innovative companies. The investors contribute not only money but also their knowledge, experience, and network, thereby playing an important role in the development of these enterprises. The investor network aligns with the existing ecosystem in Zeeland and works closely with, among others, Impuls Zeeland, Dockwize, and Rabobank.  Zeeuws Informal Investing Netwerk | AddVision Projectmanagement

About Impuls Zeeland:

Impuls Zeeland is the regional development agency of Zeeland. Together with entrepreneurs, government bodies, and knowledge institutions, we are working towards an economically strong, future-proof, and sustainable Zeeland. We strengthen the innovative capacity and international position of companies, invest in promising developments, and connect parties around societal challenges such as the energy transition, the circular economy, and digitalization. In doing so, we accelerate innovation, strengthen the Zeeland economy, and build the delta of the future.

www.impulszeeland.nl

About the development program 

The Phlecs home phototherapy program is being developed in collaboration with a consortium of partners from Zeeland and West Brabant. The project is supported by the OPZuid program and co-financed by the European Union, in support of innovation and economic development in the Southern Netherlands.

(https://www.phlecs.com/home-phototherapy/ )

Contact

Phlecs Light & Health

Vlissingen, Nederland

www.phlecs.com

David.aubert@phlecs.com.

Phlecs announces a clinical breakthrough in treatment of eczema and secures a grant to develop itsnext-generation device

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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.”

Phlecs presents two significant clinical studies demonstrating the effectiveness of its technology in supporting patients with eczema and long COVID.

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Terneuzen, the Netherlands
December 3, 2024

The Medical University of Lodz, Poland’s largest public medical university, recently conducted two studies confirming that full-body blue light therapy is a safe and effective treatment for patients with eczema and post-COVID chronic fatigue.

  1. Eczema study

    Eczema (also known as atopic dermatitis) is a prevalent, chronic skin disorder characterized by symptoms such as dry skin, localized red scaly patches, intense itching, and skin discomfort. Its prevalence is substantial, affecting approximately 20% of children and up to 10% of adults. In the Netherlands, approximately 400,000 people have constitutional eczema, approximately 2.5% of the population. The relentless itch often leads to frequent scratching, exacerbating skin damage and perpetuating a distressing cycle known as the “itch-scratch-itch” cycle. This condition’s burden can significantly impact an individual’s physical health, mental well-being, and overall quality of life.

    20 patients (age 9-45) with moderate and severe AD were included in the study. Treatment consisted of 10 irradiations with PHLECS Full Body Blue device. The results show after 10 sessions of full blue light therapy (453 nm) statistically significant improvements were observed in SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (-48%) and Itching Visual Analogue Scale (-40%). Moreover, statistically significant decrease in Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) was noted (-48%).
  2. Post-COVID study

    The MIT report assumes 450,000 patients, of which 90,000 patients with serious long-term complaints. The first report of a multi-year study shows that 9 out of 10 people who have registered with C-support suffer from serious fatigue, and 1 in 4 from depressive complaints or anxiety disorders. More than 90% experience problems with performing their social roles, and 4 out of 5 people work fewer hours or are unable to work.
    The clinical study comprised of 43 adults who underwent COVID-19 infection with a subjective feeling of fatigue 4 weeks after the infection. All participants underwent 10 PHLECS full-body blue light irradiation for 15 min a day for 5 consecutive days each week. All participants were assessed using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Short Form 36 Vitality Subscale (SF-36) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI).
    Irradiation with blue light resulted in a significant decrease in FSS (-30%) and DLQI (-48%) as well as in an increase in SF-36 (+33%)

David Aubert, CEO, and Co-founder of Phlecs, commented on these promising results, stating, “These findings are highly encouraging, and we anticipate further studies will confirm the long-term effectiveness and safety of blue light therapy. At Phlecs, we remain dedicated to advancing our full-body blue light platform to support eczema and post-COVID patients both in the Netherlands and internationally.”

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