Occuity has been awarded the ‘Supporting Innovation and Growth in Healthcare Technologies’ (SIGHT) grant.

SIGHT is a project led by the University of Portsmouth in conjunction with the Wessex CRN and Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust and funded by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) designed to enhance the competitiveness of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in the healthcare technology sector.

The support project will provide Occuity with specific insights and tools required to ensure that the Occuity PM1, the world’s only non-contact, handheld optical pachymeter can undergo clinical trials, proving that the device meets real, identified market needs. Whilst also providing Occuity with clinicians, patient group and sector-specific agile support from the University of Portsmouth and partners ensuring that the device can successfully launch in global markets. Lastly, partners and academics within the programme will offer Occuity the tools and resources to overcome regulatory barriers and therefore maximise opportunities to expand into new markets.

A successful outcome of the clinical trials will enable CE marking of the PM1, allowing Occuity to begin production with manufacturing partner Surface Technology International. All in all, the support received through the SIGHT programme means that Occuity is now in the final stages before the launch of the PM1 Pachymeter in the UK and European markets.

Dan Daly, CEO and co-founder of Occuity said: “We're delighted to have received the SIGHT grant which provides valuable funding to support Occuity’s growth and ultimately help us bring our innovative optical devices to market. We believe the Occuity PM1 Pachymeter will revolutionise how ophthalmologists and opticians worldwide measure corneal thickness, and important measurement used to support glaucoma diagnosis and before refractive eye surgery."

Professor Gordon Blunn, director of Health and Wellbeing research theme, University of Portsmouth added: “SIGHT is a win-win: SMEs will receive bespoke, agile support to increase their competitiveness, and access new markets and develop products. It will help them avoid the so called ‘valley of death’ many companies face between innovation and getting a medical technology product to market. And as a result, patients and the public will benefit from faster access to new products and services that meet their healthcare needs.”