Phoenix startup NeoLight, which is developing a phototherapy device designed to treat neonatal jaundice, recently raised $2.5 million in funding from NFL quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, according to Forbes.
The company has raised $8.23 million in total funding, according to PitchBook.
The Arizona State University spinout’s device delivers a narrow band of high-intensity blue light via blue light emitting diodes and can be used within neonatal enclosures, including bassinets, incubators and radiant warmers, enabling health care providers to treat newborn children.
The company’s sensitivity to the patient’s needs appealed to Roethlisberger and his wife and co-investor, Ashley Roethlisberger, Forbes reports. “Jaundice is not only a significant problem in the U.S. but also causes over 160,000 infant morbidities and mortalities, annually, worldwide – NeoLight is rightly posed to disrupt not just the U.S. infant care market but also deliver a global impact,” Roethlisberger said of the couple’s decision to invest.
NeoLight was founded by 2014 and is run by co-founder, CEO and board member Vivek Kopparthi.
