Company History

Apollo's history is inseperably intertwined with the development of light therapy research. Since 1987, Apollo has worked closely with most light therapy researchers. As a founding, corporate member of a number of circadian rhythm medical societies, Apollo has participated in nearly 100 medical conferences and has participated in several dozen studies on the effects of light thearpy.

Apollo has received more research grants, participated in more light therapy studies, and has worked with more researchers than all other companies combined. Apollo has also been instrumental in most light therapy applications and advancements, and Apollo technology is superior to standard, full-spectrum light boxes. The table below lists some of the significant advances in light therapy and Apollo's involvement. S

1978	Apollo founder, Henry Savage markets proprietary phototherapy technology for treating skin problems.
1984	The NIH determines that Winter Blues is effectively treated with bright therapeutic light. 2,500-lux level of intensity is recommended for 2-3 hour treatment sessions each day.
1986	Apollo applies proprietary technology to light boxes and teams up with NIH multi-site trials to determine efficacy of bright light for treating Winter Blues. Apollo introduces the briteLITE, which produces greater lux distance at half the weight of any other light therapy device.
1987	Winter Blues is determined to be a circadian rhythm problem. Drs. Lewy and Sack publish “Circadian Phase-Shift Hypothesis,” explaining why people experience a lack of energy and mood problems in the winter. Apollo adopts “Phase-Shift Hypothesis,” & notices a corresponding increase in response rates.
1989	Researchers recommend bright light as the ‘Treatment of choice’ for Winter Blues.
1989	Apollo conducts joint study with Dr. Roger Cole at UCSD and SCRIPPS Clinic: Treating Jet Lag with Bright Light. Light is shown to be the most effective regulator of the body clock (SCN). Light is the quickest method of adapting for jet lag.
1990	Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York publishes results showing increased response to 10,000 lux vs. 2,500 lux. Treatment times are reduced from 2 hours to 30 minutes. Up to 50% more patients respond to new treatment protocol. 10,000-lux established as standard for light therapy.
1990	Apollo introduces the briteLITE II, the first lightbox with advanced electronic ballasts. The briteLITE II is also the first lightbox to produce 10,000 lux over 12 ” (briteLITE II 10,000 lux distance = 16 ”).
1991	Dose Response Relationship is explored, setting off a decade-long study to determine which bandwidth of light is causing neurochemical reaction.
1992	Researchers report that light travels via the Retino-hypothalamic Tract, a neural pathway connecting the retina of the eye to the Suprachaismatic Nucleus (SCN) or body clock, located in the hypothalamus of the brain. Researchers believe that light triggers the SCN into suppressing the withdrawal hormone, melatonin in the pineal gland, while producing serotonin and other active hormones.
1993-1995	Researchers determine that the SCN is responsible for a myriad of body and hormonal rhythms. Among other things, the SCN controls heart rate and blood pressure, appetite, sleep, mood, menstrual cycles and energy levels.
1993	Apollo introduces the briteLITE III, the first lightbox to produce 10,000 lux at 20 ”, and later at 24 ”. The briteLITE III also is first with computer designed parabolic reflection, which eliminated weak spots commonly found with standard lightboxes. The resulting full treatment field of 10,000 lux significantly improves response rates as well as reducing number of days needed for a response.
1994	Dr. Charmane Eastman and colleagues at Rush Presbyterian in Chicago begins extensive study of shift work and light therapy. Light is found to effectively manage shift work problems. Dr. Eastman consults with NASA to regulate astronaut’s and crewmember’s sleep/wake cycles. Apollo’s products are used in Dr. Eastman’s shift studies as well as at NASA.
1995	“Consensus Report on Sleep” published by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) The consensus report lists several circadian related sleep problems, accounting for over 25% of all sleep problems. Circadian rhythm sleep problems are most effectively treated with light therapy. Apollo’s briteLITE II and III are instrumental in AASM’s findings.
1996	Dr. Barbara Parry, UCSD publishes several studies showing light to be effective at regulating irregular menstrual cycles. Light is also used in studying menopausal sleep problems. Apollo briteLITE products were used in these studies.
1998	Dr. Daniel Kripke at UCSD demonstrates that light therapy may be effective as medication in treating non-seasonal, mood problems. Light acts within 1 week as opposed to several weeks for SSRI’s. Light and medication create synergistic effect. Apollo products are used in many mood & light studies.
1998	Apollo develops the briteLITE IV, the only light box to produce an effective treatment field at greater than 28 ” while only weighing 7.5 lbs., allowing for more freedom and ease of use. Apollo also incorporates latest research suggesting that a specific bandwidth of light is responsible for melatonin suppression and circadian shifting. The briteLITE IV produces 2.5 times more BLUEWAVE® light than its predecessor, the briteLITE III. Response time and response rates improve significantly.
2001	Dr. George Brainard’s team at Thomas Jefferson Medical University publishes results showing that specific bandwidth is responsible for causing neurochemical reaction (shifting circadian rhythm & suppressing melatonin). Effective bandwidth is found to be 5 times more effective than all other light combined.
2001	Apollo joins TJMU in developing application method for producing specific wavelength. BLUEWAVE® technology is developed and NIH studies undertaken to determine the effect of BLUEWAVE® light.
2002	The journal, The Lancet, shows that bright light significantly increased serotonin levels, while dark or cloudy days caused serotonin to plummet. Serotonin is thought to be a major factor in mood problems.
2003-2004	Apollo & TJMU’s joint study using BLUEWAVE® LED technology demonstrate that this specific bandwidth of light is also responsible for improved mood and energy. For the first time in any light therapy study, no side effects were reported, and the drop-out rate is far lower than normal.
2002-2004	Apollo patents BLUEWAVE® technology and markets the goLITE®, the first effective, hand held LED device. Apollo also publishes the Circadian Rhythm Test, which accurately determines the severity and type of circadian rhythm problems that cause Winter Blues, sleep and mood issues. The test also creates a personalized treatment schedule to ensure optimal treatment and response time, while avoiding negative or non responses.
2004	Apollo’s BLUEWAVE® LED technology is demonstrated at NASA through a joint effort with TJMU and Harvard Medical University. BLUEWAVE® LED is also demonstrated at the Society for Research on Biological Rhythms (SRBR, the leading medical research body in biological rhythms). Researchers reach consensus on superiority of BLUEWAVE® LED technology and plan future research studies.