Skylits handheld device could bring psoriasis, eczema phototherapy home

San Diego startup Skylit Medical is developing a phototherapy device for private home use to treat conditions like psoriasis, eczema and vitiligo.Its one of thosenecessitys the mother of inventionish stories founder Martyn Grosshimself has eczema and psoriasis.

We are a frustrated group, because this is an inflammatory condition for which there is no cure so we spend $10 billion per year to solve this problem, Gross said, adding that most of these dollars go to systemic and biologic drugs, hesaid,which are costly out-of-pocket for patients.

Indeed, onecommon therapy for these autoimmune skin conditions is UVB therapy but the problem for many patients, Grosssaid, is that it takes a significant time investment to regularly go to a phototherapy clinic.

Skylits concept is todevelop its handheld device, setting up an out-of-pocket subscription service for patients to essentially lease it and use it at home. The patient would receive a prescription from a dermatologist, and then the doctor-programmed device would do the rest of the work. Itd turn on the UVB light in, say, 30-second increments whatever and whenever the doctor orders and then automatically shut off once the days sufficient therapy has been administered.

The goal is ultimately to build a camera into the device, so that the skin conditions progression can be tracked by a derm. In the near-term, the device will at least have WiFi and Bluetooth capabilities to transmit prescription data from the doc to the patient, Gross said.

Phototherapy has, by the way, a range of benefits for skin conditions, according to the National Eczema Association reducing itch, working as an anti-inflammatory agent, increasing vitamin D production and increasing bacteria-fighting systems in the skin. For psoriasis and even vitiligo, it shows similar benefits.

Skylit isnt the only device, it should be noted, that is working in the at-home phototherapy business. But thecompanys in the midst of a $2 million seedround, having raised about $150,000 by the end of July, according to a regulatory filing. Gross said it hopes to raise $3.4 million, however, in its Series A round.

The goal with the Skylit device was to make it as easy as possible, Gross said.

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Skylits handheld device could bring psoriasis, eczema phototherapy home