Presenting Kuopio Health members: LED Tailor Oy
LED Tailor Oy – Precision and Safety Through Blue-Light Technology
LED Tailor Oy is a Finnish biotechnology company that develops and manufactures chemical-free disinfection solutions based on visible blue light. Their solutions improve surface hygiene and air quality in environments such as pharmaceutical cleanrooms, laboratories, healthcare facilities, the food industry, and buildings with indoor air challenges. LED Tailor’s patented blue-light technology is known as Spectral Blue MWHI® – Multi-Wavelength, High-Intensity blue light.
When LED Tailor Oy was founded in 2014, no one yet knew where the company’s story would lead. Its roots go back to the post-Nokia era, when many experienced experts were considering how they could apply their competence to something new. With a strong vision of the possibilities of LED technology, the company initially tailored LED solutions for a variety of needs.
At the time, blue light was discussed only cautiously. Few yet understood the potential hidden in specific wavelengths – and especially what would happen if several wavelengths were combined with high-intensity light.
Current CEO Michel Schmidt joined the company about three years ago, at the same time as LED Tailor renewed its ownership structure and strategy.
“You could say that the current LED Tailor is only three to four years old. That’s when we realized that microbiology is truly at the core of our work, and that blue-light technology can solve problems that cannot be tackled by other means. In fact, we increasingly use the name Spectral Blue,” Schmidt explains.
Michel Schmidt, CEO of LED Tailor.
How does blue-light technology work?
“Light hits molecules inside the bacterium, and when they become activated, reactive oxygen species are produced. These behave like a shotgun inside the cell, breaking it down completely. There is a clear biological mechanism behind this phenomenon. Different wavelengths bind to different receptors inside the cell, activating flavins and porphyrins, and the reactive oxygen that is generated destroys the microbe efficiently. The technology is particularly effective against bacteria, molds, yeasts, and in certain cases even against lipid-enveloped viruses such as influenza and SARS-CoV‑2. However, blue light is not a solution for all viruses,” Schmidt describes.
“The biggest difference between blue light and, for example, UV light relates to safety and usage. Blue light does not involve the risks typical of UV radiation, nor does it rely on mercury lamps, which is an important environmental aspect. It is also significant that, according to current science, blue light does not induce resistance. Bacteria cannot modify the mechanisms the light targets, because they are essential, inherent cellular molecules.”
Watch the video to see how Spectral Blue MWHI® works.
Three Key Application Areas
Pharmaceutical cleanrooms are extremely demanding environments. Cleaning must be effective, repeatable, and often automated to prevent new contamination caused by human presence.
“The strength of our products is that they always work the same way. Same outcome, same efficiency, same reliability. And they work whenever people are not in the room,” Schmidt says.
Blue light is not just another cleaning method in the pharmaceutical industry, it is a continuous background safety net.
“Listeria is one of the most feared challenges in the food industry. It quickly forms thick biofilms that protect the bacteria and make them nearly impossible to remove using traditional methods. Additionally, tightening EU regulations on Listeria make this technology even more relevant. For example, one of our customers tried to remove biofilm with chemicals, mechanically, with UV light, and even by burning it. It didn’t work. With our devices, it was removed over a single weekend,” Schmidt continues.
Biofilms are also a central theme of the company’s research collaborations. Although a great deal of research has already been done, the aim is to gain an even deeper understanding. Many laboratories and universities in Finland and abroad have also adopted blue-light technology because it provides a continuous effect and is safe for use in occupied spaces.
“Of course, I would like to see our technology used in every hospital. We can significantly impact epidemic control and the prevention of hospital-acquired infections. Our solution can not only bring cost savings but also save lives.”
“There are not many companies in the world investing in blue-light technology as extensively as we do. Our technology is unique, patented, and protected, and it destroys microbes automatically and continuously – even in difficult biofilms, humid environments, and through reflection in shaded areas. We are constantly developing new products and have multiple ongoing projects,” Schmidt adds.
The company’s blue light technology in use in a laboratory space.
Deliberate Business Focus
LED Tailor’s growth has not been linear. It has been a path of carefully considered decisions and bold shifts in direction. Certifications, environmental requirements, and market-specific registrations are part of everyday life for a small company and a major investment.
“As a small company, the challenge is to focus and select the right focus areas. You can’t pursue every idea, nor can you join everything. We are still a small company, and growth must be controlled. You must be fully committed. It’s demanding work requiring both mental capacity and time. But it is also a unique situation and an endless learning process; there is always something new,” Schmidt reflects.
In sales, the company now focuses on Europe, where its distribution network is expanding rapidly. Outside Europe, imports and after-sales are more challenging for a small company, even though interest is high.
Due to the nature of blue-light technology, people often come up with new use cases for it faster than the company itself. Schmidt laughs and admits that some of these ideas are excellent. Still, the company keeps its focus on professional use – other applications may follow later.
Collaboration with Kuopio Health
LED Tailor joined Kuopio Health through a deliberate process. The company wanted a network that is not only visible but also impactful and concrete.
“We noticed that Kuopio has the same level of ambition and strong expertise as we do. They are doing the right things – and seriously.”
Despite the geographical distance, Schmidt says the company has already been active in the ecosystem.
“In August, we participated in the Kuopio Health Insights event, as well as Nordic Life Science Days and New Nordics Healthtech Matchmaking through Kuopio Health. In addition, we have joined several individual meetings and networking events. Our experiences have been very positive, and it is important for us to be able to explain the science behind our technology. People can contact us freely, we are always happy to share information about our solutions,” Schmidt concludes.
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