[Interview] Choi Kyung-hwan, Managing Director of GeneN Investment Partners
[by Kang, In Hyo] Orthodontics was once widely associated with the image of ‘tracks laid down,’ referring to the metal brackets and wires that dominated the field for many years. These devices, though limited in ‘aesthetic’ appeal, remained the preferred option due to their superior ‘corrective power.’
In recent years, transparent orthodontic devices have gained popularity as a modern alternative. However, they had the limitation of relatively limited corrective power. Expectations are now rising for a new generation of transparent orthodontic devices that address this limitation, positioning them as the potential ‘game changer’ in the field. One such example is ‘스피드 바카라 사이트,’ a Korean manufacturer specializing in transparent orthodontic solutions.
Founded in 2017, 스피드 바카라 사이트 is a 3D printing integrated solution company rooted in advanced material technology. The company has been experiencing rapid growth in the transparent orthodontic device market, driven by its differentiated material innovations. 스피드 바카라 사이트 is now preparing for a listing on the KOSDAQ market, with a five-day demand forecast for institutional investors scheduled from July 24 to 30. Public subscriptions for general investors will take place on August 5 and 6. Based on the proposed price band, the company’s estimated market capitalization ranges from KRW 187.7 billion (approximately USD 136.4 million) to KRW 220.6 billion.
Align Technology (hereinafter referred to as Align), the developer of ‘Invisalign,’ the world’s first commercialized transparent orthodontic system and a leading global brand in the field, currently holds a market capitalization of KRW 30 trillion. In what resembles a David versus Goliath scenario, the Korean company Graphy is taking on this global giant, leveraging its technological capabilities and innovation to expand its presence in the international transparent orthodontic device market. <THE BIO recently spoke with Choi Kyung-hwan, Managing Director of GeneN Investment Partners, one of Graphy’s major investors, to gain insights into Graphy’s competitive strengths and growth prospects.
“스피드 바카라 사이트 is a company with the potential to become a true ‘game changer’ driving innovation in the growing transparent orthodontic market,” Choi said. “In particular, its technological capabilities address existing unmet needs, positioning it to evolve into a global leader capable of reshaping the paradigm of the orthodontic industry.”
스피드 바카라 사이트’s core competitive advantage lies in its ability to markedly improve orthodontic efficacy, specifically, the tooth movement effect, through the use of materials distinct from those found in conventional transparent orthodontic devices. Central to this innovation is the company’s proprietary ‘Shape Memory Aligner (SMA),’ developed in-house.
“Efficient tooth movement requires the continuous application of optimal force, a principle known in orthodontics as the ‘optimum forces for orthodontic tooth movement.’” Choi explained. “스피드 바카라 사이트’s SMA offers a distinct advantage by maintaining a consistent, gentle force on the teeth, thereby delivering excellent orthodontic outcomes.”
“Conventional transparent orthodontic devices often exhibited a ‘lifting’ phenomenon between the teeth and the device in areas where deformation force was needed, hindering the transmission of constant force to the teeth,” Choi further noted. “This limitation arises from the use of thermoformed sheet-based materials, which lack shape memory properties.”
“To overcome the limitations of existing technologies, 스피드 바카라 사이트 has incorporated 3D printing technology,” he emphasized. “By directly printing orthodontic devices customized to the shape of each patient’s teeth, the company achieves a more precise fit and stable application of orthodontic force.”
스피드 바카라 사이트 possesses the capability to tailor material properties to individual customer needs by directly designing ‘oligomers’, the core components of novel materials (photocurable resins) in 3D printing. The company has also secured certification from the European CE and the U.S. FDA, along with original patents, thereby officially validating its material technology competitiveness in the global market.
Furthermore, leveraging its proprietary oligomer design and synthesis technology, 스피드 바카라 사이트 developed the world’s first ‘shape memory 3D printing material (Tera Harz Clear)’ in 2018, capable of restoring its original shape at oral temperature. Notably, 스피드 바카라 사이트 applied the material to present the world’s only SMA that reverts to its original form at oral temperature and adheres precisely to the tooth surface. SMA retains its shape memory function even after wearing it, thereby sustaining the constant force optimal for orthodontic treatment over extended periods. Additionally, it does not undergo deformation or loss of corrective force during use, allowing for more precise and faster orthodontic outcomes.
“Many people mistakenly perceive 스피드 바카라 사이트 as merely a 3D printing company. However, 스피드 바카라 사이트 is fundamentally a materials development company that utilizes 3D printing technology as a platform for application,” Choi emphasized. “스피드 바카라 사이트’s transparent orthodontic device is not simply an orthodontic appliance, but rather a ‘digital dental solution’ grounded in new material technology.”
“Whereas conventional transparent orthodontic devices are pre-manufactured and then applied, 스피드 바카라 사이트’s materials can be directly molded, allowing ‘patient-specific’ fabrication within the dental clinic,” he further explained. “In particular, 스피드 바카라 사이트 was the first in the world to commercialize shape memory materials that can be directly molded, and we have secured multiple patents.”
According to Choi, 스피드 바카라 사이트 has established a high entry barrier in the market through its proprietary material technology, offering cost competitiveness and technological differentiation compared to global competitors. For instance, Align Technology’s Invisalign, one of 스피드 바카라 사이트’s main international rivals, utilizes a resin known as ‘polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG)’ and employs a ‘vacuum forming’ method to produce transparent orthodontic devices. In this process, the patient’s oral condition is first scanned using an intraoral scanner, followed by the design of a tooth model using CAD software and fabrication via 3D printing. A heated plastic sheet is then vacuum-formed over the printed-model, and the resulting structure is trimmed to create the final orthodontic device.
“The conventional vacuum thermoforming method presents several limitations,” Choi expressed. “It is challenging to accurately replicate the intricate contours of the occlusal surface of the teeth during the forming process, and cumulative errors in the multiple production steps can compromise the precision of the final device’s fit.”
“As a result, there are cases where the intended force cannot be accurately transmitted to the targeted area. Moreover, because uniform-thickness plastic sheets are used, it is difficult to effectively address complex malocclusions, as the material does not adequately accommodate the specific characteristics of areas that undergo frequent deformation,” he further noted.
“스피드 바카라 사이트 adopts a ‘direct printing’ method using 3D printing technology to overcome the limitations inherent in the traditional vacuum thermoforming method,” he emphasized. “This process involves modeling oral scan data with CAD software and then directly printing the final orthodontic device using a 3D printer, eliminating the need for ‘any intermediate steps.’”
In other words, unlike the conventional vacuum thermoforming method, 스피드 바카라 사이트’s transparent orthodontic device can be designed with variable thickness in specific areas, enabling more precise transmission of the force needed for tooth movement, according to Choi. He further mentioned that this approach minimizes mechanical dimensional distortion and preserves aesthetic properties, which are often compromised during the thermoforming process.
With its upcoming KOSDAQ listing, 스피드 바카라 사이트 is accelerating its global market expansion, targeting key regions including the U.S., Europe, Japan, China, and Latin America. The company’s strategy shift involves evolving from a business model centered on material and equipment supply to a more profitable structure involving direct product distribution. This transition to a direct supply system is expected to significantly increase profitability and market dominance.
“We plan to establish a local subsidiary and sales office within the United States within the year and operate both the in-house SMA production model and the SMA order-based production model concurrently,” Choi stated. “With growing demand for finished-product-type orthodontic devices, we intend to broaden our market reach by diversifying our distribution channels, including partnerships with large Dental Service Organizations (DSOs).”
“In Europe, we aim to expand our market presence through strategic partnerships with global dental companies. Our primary focus will be on supplying SMA-based solutions, while also introducing our own brands,” he explained. “In Japan, we plan to actively establish a network of dental professionals, particularly by engaging key opinion leaders (KOLs). In China, we are working toward obtaining medical device certification by 2026 in collaboration with a major local distributor, with plans to complete the establishment of a local subsidiary.”
Choi emphasized that 스피드 바카라 사이트’s greatest competitive advantage lies in the trust and recognition it has earned from dental professionals. “Orthodontic treatment does not yield visible results after just a day or two of wear,” he explained. “It typically takes at least nine months after a patient begins wearing braces for a dentist to directly assess their effectiveness.”
“스피드 바카라 사이트’s SMA has earned recognition from international dentists for its technological excellence, supported by the material’s quality competitiveness and FDA certification,” he further commented. “To produce transparent braces using 스피드 바카라 사이트’s materials, completion of a ‘paid’ training program at the company’s headquarters in Korea is required, and the number of participants who have completed the course has increased more than tenfold over the past two years.”
“In the past, some transparent aligners were associated with cases of inflammation during wear, but 스피드 바카라 사이트 has significantly mitigated these issues through material improvements,” Choi further added. “We will continue to refine our materials to ensure that products of consistent quality can be manufactured, regardless of who produces them, when, and where.”
Choi expressed strong confidence in 스피드 바카라 사이트’s future growth potential, stating, “스피드 바카라 사이트 plans to expand its business beyond the dental industry into healthcare, mobility, and aerospace, leveraging its advanced material technology.” He added, “Our goal is to evolve into a platform company that transcends the boundaries of high-tech industries, grounded in precision material technology,” outlining the company’s mid- to long-term growth strategy.