Silicon photonics integrated optics technology developer Rockley Photonics has added $50 million in growth funding. The company also has hired Vafa Jamali as chief commercial officer with an eye toward applying its expertise to the healthcare market.
The funding round included venture capitalists, strategic investors and institutional funds including Credit Suisse backed SIG-i Capital and Applied Ventures, LLC, the venture capital arm of Applied Materials, inc., as well as existing shareholders. The new round brings Rockley’s total funding to more than $225 million of financing to develop its unique silicon photonics platform.
“It is testament to the strength of our technology and emerging market opportunities that we have attracted such a preeminent list of new investors to join many of our existing shareholders in this funding round,” said Andrew Rickman, chief executive officer, Rockley Photonics. “This round provides the funding for Rockley as it moves into the next exciting growth phase and develops next-generation disruptive silicon photonics powered healthcare and wellness sensors and communications products for its Tier 1 customers.”
To help with that healthcare-focused initiative, Rockley hired Jamali. He has more than 25 years of experience in the medical device industry, most recently at Medtronic.
“We’re excited to welcome Vafa to Rockley,” said Rickman. “Our optical sensing chipsets, with their unique analytical capabilities, bring benchtop testing capabilities to healthcare and wellbeing markets within handheld and wearable devices. Vafa’s extensive experience in the medical devices field will help to position Rockley for growth in this multibillion-dollar, high-volume market.”
“Personalized monitoring of multiple biophysical and biochemical biomarkers will revolutionize the way we look after our health and wellbeing,” said Jamili. “Rockley’s technology is transformative, and I am looking forward to working with the team to accelerate the company’s growth.”
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