PhotoPharmics (American Fork, UT) secures $6 million to complete Phase 3 trials and seek FDA approval for Celeste, a breakthrough light therapy device targeting Parkinson’s disease symptoms non-invasively. The added infusion of capital will also fund the company's go-to-market strategy
American Fork-based PhotoPharmics, a clinical-stage medtech company specializing in light therapy for neurodegenerative diseases, announced the close of an oversubscribed $6 million Series B extension, led by Kickstart Fund. This follows a previously announced $16 million investment round in November 2023, also led by Kickstart, bringing recent funding to over $22 million—a substantial show of investor confidence in the company’s vision to redefine Parkinson’s treatment.
The funding fuels PhotoPharmics’ Pivotal, Phase 3 clinical trial of Celeste, its proprietary FDA-designated Breakthrough Device for Parkinson’s disease. The trial, which has already enrolled over 200 participants nationwide, is the final hurdle before seeking FDA market authorization. The additional capital will also support pre-commercialization efforts, including regulatory prep, strategic partnerships, and patient access strategies.
Unlike traditional wellness light boxes, Celeste is engineered to deliver disease-specific light wavelengths and intensities, passively engaging the brain through the eyes to stimulate natural neurological processes. This technology can lead to significant, drug-free improvements in motor function, mood, sleep, and cognition—all without the systemic side effects of current pharmaceutical options.
With Celeste, we’re not just adding a new product—we’re building an entirely new category of care for Parkinson’s,” said CEO Kent Savage. “With over 11 million people living with Parkinson’s globally—and no breakthroughs in decades—the need for innovation is urgent. This investment helps us lay the groundwork for access, education, and advocacy around a convenient, non-invasive approach.”
The company’s leadership team brings serious pedigree. Its founders previously developed the circadian light therapy technology that was acquired by Philips-Respironics in 2007, now widely used for mood and sleep disorders. That legacy now extends into more ambitious territory: using non-invasive light therapy to slow, or potentially even alter, the course of neurodegenerative diseases.
Utah’s medtech sector continues to gain national traction, and PhotoPharmics is emerging as a flag-bearer for clinical-grade innovation. With Phase 3 nearing completion and regulatory filings on deck, the company is now laying the groundwork for market entry, education, and payer engagement. If the FDA gives the green light, Celeste could become a first-of-its-kind therapy—not just a medical device, but a reframing of how Parkinson’s is treated.
Visit www.photopharmics.com for more information.