September 2026, Acquisition International | 13 The Foundation facilitates collaboration among 500 scientists and practitioners across 30 countries. It aggregates, curates and disseminates their clinical research to global decision-makers, influencers and the media, helping to expand collective awareness of this revolutionary medical technology. As the only non-profit organisation promoting the use of redlight therapy to the public, The PBM Foundation works closely with the scientific networks managed by the World Association for Photobiomodulation Therapy (WALT) and the North American Association for Light Therapy (NAALT). These two established scientific societies bring scientists together to share their latest research. Both enthusiastically collaborate with The PBM Foundation to ensure their members’ findings reach a broader audience, inform policy decision-makers and become actionable within healthcare settings. The PBM Foundation has achieved strategic success in securing formal recommendations for the use of PBM treatments from United States government agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense. It has also received formal approval for use from the International Olympic Committee, as well as endorsements from various medical associations, including the American Dental Association, the Academy of Laser Dentistry and the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer. Despite operating with limited resources and relying on volunteers, The PBM Foundation has achieved historic strategic change in the field of healthcare innovation. Many experts within the PBM field have stated that the expansion of PBM usage over the past eight years has occurred because of the Foundation’s revolutionary messaging and outreach efforts. The PBM Foundation’s work has been formally presented to the White House, executive branch agencies, medical forums and the United Nations. In recognition of its tireless efforts to expand access to photobiomodulation therapy and improve and save millions of lives through its exceptional work, The PBM Foundation has been named Health Innovation Advocate of the Year 2026. Health Innovation Advocate of the Year 2026 There are approximately 32 trillion cells in the average adult body, each performing specific tasks that collectively sustain life. Every process that keeps us alive, from breathing and healing to ageing, occurs because of these cells. Therefore, cellular function and dysfunction lie at the root of most diseases; 80% of what injures, ails or ages us is related to our cellular function. Photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy restores cellular function at the molecular level and is increasingly recognised for successfully addressing a wide range of musculoskeletal and neuropathic conditions. PBM uses red or near-infrared light that penetrates the skin and tissue, where it is absorbed by mitochondria. This triggers a chain of biological effects that can accelerate healing, alleviate pain and improve function. More than 110 million patients have been treated with PBM without any documented side effects. A total of 2,466 clinical trials and 12,000 published studies have demonstrated that PBM is an effective therapy. The core mechanism of this process centres on a specific protein inside the mitochondria called cytochrome c oxidase (CCO). This protein sits at a critical point in the chain of reactions that cells use to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a nucleoside triphosphate that provides the energy needed to fuel cellular processes. CCO’s role is to transfer electrons to oxygen molecules, creating a proton gradient that drives ATP production. When red or near-infrared light reaches CCO, it affects a molecule called nitric oxide, which naturally binds to CCO and slows it down. Without nitric oxide binding to it, the mitochondria accelerate respiration and produce ATP at a faster rate. The displaced nitric oxide enters the surrounding tissue, dilating blood vessels and improving local circulation. At the same time, the light triggers a small, controlled burst of reactive oxygen species, which act as signalling molecules to activate pathways that influence gene expression, reduce inflammation and stimulate tissue repair. In cells already experiencing oxidative stress, photobiomodulation reduces harmful reactive oxygen species whilst boosting energy output, playing an instrumental role in helping damaged cells recover their normal function. Clinical and real-world evidence is disseminated by The PBM Foundation, an organisation that supports the research and worldwide adoption of photobiomodulation therapy. It also develops and implements PBM curricula at leading universities. Photobiomodulation (PBM) is a non-invasive, FDA-cleared medical technology that successfully manages pain and treats a variety of medical conditions. It uses red and near-infrared light to stimulate mitochondria, helping to repair and restore cellular function and reduce inflammation. It is a natural treatment that supports the body’s own natural processes. Leading the charge in this revolutionary treatment is The PBM Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organisation that supports research into, and the worldwide adoption of, photobiomodulation therapy. We take a deeper look at its groundbreaking work below, following The PBM Foundation’s recognition in the Non-Profit Organisations Awards 2026. PBM Foundation
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