Graphy, a dental solutions company led by CEO Shim Woonseop, which commercialized the world's first shape memory transparent orthodontic appliance (SMA), is drawing industry attention as it officially embarks on its KOSDAQ listing process. Against this backdrop, Graphy is emerging as the first domestic dental company in the orthodontics field to go public, and as a case of 'K-Dental' innovation based on technological prowess.
Recently, Graphy submitted its securities registration statement to the financial authorities and began the process of entering the KOSDAQ. The company's flagship product, SMA, is an innovative solution that surpasses the technological limitations of the existing clear aligner market, offering an integrated approach that covers materials, equipment, and software. Unlike conventional clear aligners that use thermoformed plastic (PETG), SMA utilizes Tera Harz Clear, a proprietary photo-curable resin with shape memory functionality developed by Graphy, significantly enhancing both treatment efficiency and patient convenience.
The core of SMA production, Tera Harz Clear, is a 3D printer material based on an oligomer that Graphy has independently designed and synthesized, realizing both shape memory functionality and biocompatibility. This enables a reduction in both treatment duration and the number of clinical visits, resulting in greater patient convenience and satisfaction. The material has obtained Class II medical device certification not only from Korea's MFDS but also from the US FDA, Europe's CE, and Japan's PMDA, thereby meeting regulatory requirements necessary for entry into global markets.
Graphy has secured market competitiveness through its integrated solution strategy that encompasses materials, equipment, and software. The SMA system consists of the shape memory material, along with the nitrogen curing unit (Tera Harz Cure), the residual resin removal device (Tera Harz Spinner), and the design software (Direct Aligner Designer), all of which are interconnected in a standardized and highly precise production system. In particular, Tera Harz Cure, which cures in a nitrogen environment, prevents surface undercuring caused by oxygen and is a key device for optimizing the mechanical properties and transparency of the material. This ensures that the performance of the shape memory material is stably realized, allowing for the consistent production of high-quality orthodontic appliances with excellent aesthetics and treatment predictability.
Since 2020, Graphy has maintained rapid growth, recording an average annual sales growth rate of 98% over the past four years. The company has also secured more than 50 domestic and international patents across materials, processes, and equipment. By protecting key technologies such as the 'shape memory photo-curable composition' and the '3D printer residual resin removal device,' Graphy has established its own technological barriers.
The global orthodontics market, which was valued at approximately 100 trillion KRW last year, is expected to grow to 150 trillion KRW by 2030. The clear aligner segment is projected to account for 40% of the entire orthodontics market by 2030, forming a market worth about 60 trillion KRW. Amid these market trends, SMA technology is presenting a new paradigm in orthodontic care. In addition to its technological capabilities, Graphy is raising expectations for future performance improvements based on its track record of securing leading international speakers and entering new markets.
A Graphy representative stated, "SMA is not simply an orthodontic device, but an integrated platform that encompasses shape memory materials, precision processing equipment, and software." He added, "As we have nearly completed the advancement of our commercialization technologies, we expect to secure a stable profit base." He also said, "As the first domestic orthodontic dental company to pursue a listing, we will fulfill our responsibilities and prove the global expansion of K-Dental technology through performance-driven results."
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