STONEHAM, Mass., Aug. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- CIRCADIAN®, the global leader in managing 24/7 workforce productivity, health and safety in businesses that operate around the clock, announced today that it has acquired a controlling stake in ZircLight Inc. with a $2.5 million Series A investment led by ams AG, a leading designer and manufacturer of sensor and analog solutions including sensor-integrated intelligent managers that are enabling the next generation of smart lighting systems.
ZircLight Inc., which will operate as CIRCADIAN ZircLight, holds the core intellectual property rights to devices including LED lighting systems, eyewear and display screens that alleviate the negative health and performance effects of artificial lighting in our nighttime environments by controlling nocturnal exposure to specific blue light wavelengths that stimulate melanopsin receptor visual pathways and cause neuroendocrine disruption (including melatonin and cortisol), and disease marker gene disruptions (including BMal1 and Per2).
Dr. Martin Moore-Ede, the CEO of CIRCADIAN commented, "The ZircLight technology, using circadian-modulated spectrum-specific LEDs, provides a highly effective solution to nocturnal workplace lighting exposure, and a healthy alternative to the blue-pump LED lighting that is currently flooding the market. We seek to provide the energy-saving and technology advantages of LED lighting without the considerable downside risks of dosing large populations of people with blue wavelengths that have been associated with increased health risks."
"The 2007 decision by the World Health Organization to classify nocturnal light exposure as a "probable carcinogen," and the extensive human epidemiological and animal research studies over the past 10 years demonstrating that nocturnal light exposure increases cancer, diabetes, obesity, heart disease and depression, has brought public attention to this very real health hazard," explained Dr. Doros Platika, Chairman of CIRCADIAN ZircLight.
Sajol Ghoshal, Vice President, Strategic Development, Sensor Technology & Wireless Connectivity at ams AG, added, "ams is very excited about the coming wave of sensor–driven technological solutions to the health and wellness challenges that have been created by our modern environment. We see circadian modulated lighting as an important application for ams intelligent sensors that opens entirely new dimensions in the concept of high quality light, and will be the hallmark of the smart lighting revolution."
About CIRCADIAN®
CIRCADIAN®, is the pioneer and global leader in 24/7 workforce risk management systems. Supported by over 30 years of research and field application experience, CIRCADIAN provides consulting and technology solutions for employers who operate night shifts or round-the-clock schedules. Working from offices in North America, South America, Europe, Australia, and Asia, CIRCADIAN experts ensure that over half the Fortune 500, and other leading international companies, improve their health, safety and competitiveness in the global 24/7 economy. To learn more about CIRCADIAN, visit www.circadian.com.
About CIRCADIAN ZircLight
CIRCADIAN ZircLight owns an IP portfolio which provides solutions to the potentially harmful blue light wave lengths which have been associated with breast, prostate and other cancers, diabetes and other metabolic syndromes, sleep disorders and depression. CIRCADIAN ZircLight is currently developing technologies and bringing to market products including LED lighting systems, eyewear and display screens which control the circadian timing of human exposure to spectrum-specific wavelengths for industrial, commercial and residential applications.
About ams AG
ams develops and manufactures high performance analog semiconductors that solve its customers' most challenging problems with innovative solutions. ams' products are aimed at applications which require extreme precision, accuracy, dynamic range, sensitivity, and ultra-low power consumption. ams' product range includes sensors, sensor interfaces, power management ICs and wireless ICs for customers in the consumer, industrial, medical, mobile communications and automotive markets.
With headquarters in Austria, ams employs over 1,500 people globally and serves more than 7,800 customers worldwide. ams is listed on the SIX Swiss stock exchange (ticker symbol: AMS). More information about ams can be found at http://www.ams.com.
SOURCE CIRCADIAN