Gedent Secures RMB 15 Million in Series Angel Funding, Launches Early Orthodontic Solutions Covering Primary Dentition

VCBeat has learned that Chengdu Gedengte Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Gedengte”) recently announced the completion of its RMB 15 million angel financing round. This round was invested by Guosheng Capital, and the proceeds will be primarily used for equipment procurement, factory infrastructure construction, and market promotion.

VCBeat has learned that Gedengte, founded in December 2019, is a company integrating R&D of dental instruments and materials with digital services for dental diagnosis and treatment. Its core team consists of overseas-returnee experts and specialists in the industrialization of medical devices, with members possessing venture investment experience in multiple medical device companies and senior executive backgrounds in large enterprises.

Furthermore, Gedengte has established a long-term and stable scientific research partnership with the West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University, dedicated to promoting the translational research of innovative dental medical devices and materials.

To date, Gedengte has established three major product pipelines in the field of innovative medical devices and materials: custom-made clear aligners for children, novel dental tissue repair and regeneration materials, and regenerative dental implant materials. Among these, the custom-made clear aligners for children have obtained medical device registration certificates, while the regenerative dental filling materials and regenerative dental implant materials are both in the pre-submission stage for registration certification.

In the realm of dental digitalization, VCBeat has learned that Gedengte’s self-developed home-use intraoral scanning system is poised for market launch. This device leverages smartphones and other terminal devices to replace traditional intraoral scanners for capturing intraoral images, while enabling connectivity with clinical centers to facilitate timely doctor-patient communication and support customized production. The emergence of this technology can reduce equipment expenditures for healthcare institutions and enhance efficiency in doctor-patient communication, treatment planning, and product manufacturing.

Among Gedengte’s product pipeline, its customized clear aligners for children are the most distinctive and have achieved the fastest commercialization. Specifically, Gedengte’s customized pediatric clear aligners comprehensively cover the primary dentition stage (under 6 years of age) and the mixed dentition stage (6–13 years of age) in dental development among children and adolescents.

As is well known, early orthodontic treatment in children presents more challenges than adult orthodontics.

According to the founding team of Gedengte, specialized clinics for early orthodontic intervention in children remain extremely scarce across China, with most public hospitals lacking dedicated departments for early correction of malocclusion in pediatric patients. Furthermore, a severe imbalance exists between market demand and the supply of qualified practitioners, driven by factors such as low clinical compliance among children, discomfort associated with traditional orthodontic appliances, and a lack of professional experience in early pediatric orthodontics among many orthodontists.

From a technical perspective, while adult orthodontic treatment primarily aims at aesthetic alignment, the correction of malocclusion in children requires comprehensive consideration of the development of teeth, bones, and muscles, as well as addressing the impact of harmful habits during growth. Consequently, early intervention for pediatric malocclusion presents greater implementation challenges.

However, due to the high prevalence of malocclusion in children (with prevalence rates of 51.84% during the primary dentition stage and 71.21% during the mixed dentition stage in China) and the narrow window for optimal treatment (the “Expert Consensus on Early Orthodontic Treatment of Malocclusion in Chinese Children,” released in 2021, points out that comfortable and safe orthodontic products can be selected for treating primary anterior crossbite around the age of four; appropriate therapeutic measures can be promptly implemented during the mixed dentition stage and the early permanent dentition stage before age 12. If the optimal treatment period is missed, skeletal deformities may develop, necessitating surgical intervention in adulthood), orthodontic correction of pediatric malocclusion is receiving increasing attention from parents and clinicians alike, emerging as a blue-ocean market with significant growth potential.

Despite the increasingly evident demand for early orthodontic intervention in children, the market is fraught with substandard products that either fail to deliver expected therapeutic outcomes or exaggerate their indications. This situation may result in unresolved or even worsened oral health issues in children.

“Precisely because West China School of Stomatology identified a significant number of pediatric patients with developmental issues caused by the use of substandard products at external institutions, Gedengte decided to collaborate with the team of professors at West China School of Stomatology who possess the most extensive clinical experience in early orthodontic correction for children. By empowering West China School of Stomatology through new clinical technology projects, we aim to address challenges in early pediatric orthodontic treatment. After several years of accumulation, Gedengte has successfully commercialized multiple patents in partnership with West China School of Stomatology, launching a range of early orthodontic products and clinical solution systems for children and bringing them to market, with the goal of helping more children in need,” revealed the founding team of Gedengte.

Furthermore, in the course of its scientific research collaboration with the West China School of Stomatology, Gedengte has devoted substantial efforts to working with the professorial team at West China School of Stomatology on the translational development of bio-regenerative dental filling materials and bio-regenerable dental implant materials.

It is reported that Gedengte’s regenerative dental filling material can be applied in the treatment of dental caries and vital pulp therapy. Compared with existing filling materials, which are prone to dissolution and may cause pulpitis, Gedengte’s regenerative dental filling material not only offers superior biosafety but also supports post-filling restoration of dental blood supply and nerve function.

Gedengte’s regenerative dental implant materials enable in situ functional regeneration of bio-type root materials, allowing for the regeneration of tooth roots with vital pulp and periodontal tissues that can perform normal occlusal functions. Histological sections have demonstrated that, facilitated by this material, the alveolar bone–periodontal ligament–cementum complex can be successfully regenerated. “Currently, the efficacy of these two products has been validated in the laboratory. Next, we will focus on finalizing manufacturing processes to ensure consistent product output while maintaining quality standards.”

At this point in the narrative, we can appreciate Gedengte’s capability in translating scientific research into practical applications. This achievement is naturally underpinned by the R&D team’s acute ability to identify clinical needs. The primary approach to honing this sensitivity to clinical needs is through deep collaboration with clinical practitioners.

In addition to actively seeking clinical collaborations, Gedengte deeply understands the principle that “one must be strong oneself to forge good iron.” The company has established an R&D team primarily composed of researchers with master’s and doctoral degrees from prestigious universities, as well as physicians, continuously driving technological innovation to facilitate the development and translation of its products.

Whether advancing the commercialization of existing products or initiating R&D for new product pipelines, capital support is indispensable. In this regard, Chengdu Gedengte Technology Co., Ltd. expresses its sincere gratitude to investors for their trust and recognition. The company is committed to repaying this confidence by delivering more advanced products and achieving broader market coverage in the future.

Guosheng Capital, an investor in this funding round, stated: “Gedengte is an innovative medical device R&D enterprise and digital diagnosis and treatment service provider focused on the field of dentistry. The company collaborates closely with the West China School of Stomatology of Sichuan University. Its first commercialized product—an invisible aligner for malocclusion during the primary dentition stage—has been launched on the market. Leveraging the professional expertise of pediatric dentists and an intelligent treatment planning system, this product enables tailored orthodontic treatment plans for children in the primary dentition stage, allowing for more efficient and precise control of tooth movement. Meanwhile, Gedengte has also secured patent licenses for regenerative pulp repair materials and bio-regenerated tooth roots. This technology enables the regeneration of ‘vital teeth’ and, upon successful future market launch, is expected to replace existing pulp repair materials such as calcium hydroxide, as well as dental implants. We look forward to Gedengte achieving greater success in the field of oral health and hope its products will address current pain points, creating a more comfortable experience for users.”

Guosheng Capital is a state-owned industrial investment firm rooted in the Chengdu Tianfu International Bio-Town, dedicated to serving the global development of innovative life sciences. It has established a synergistic cluster of nine parent and subsidiary industry funds, with a total scale exceeding RMB 10 billion. To date, it has completed investments in over 70 outstanding enterprises in the healthcare sector, spanning five key areas: modern biopharmaceuticals, innovative chemical drugs, high-performance medical devices, professional outsourcing services, and health services. Adhering to the model of “government guidance + market logic + specialized operations,” the firm is committed to becoming China’s most influential comprehensive financial services provider in the industry. It has successively received numerous accolades, including Top 10 Best Emerging VC Firms in China 2021 by CVCRI, Top 10 Most Promising Venture Capital Firms in China 2021 by ChinaVenture, the 2022 Chengdu New Economy Venture Capital Outstanding Contribution Award, and Top 10 Dark Horse Investment Firms in the Medical and Health Sector 2022 by LPCLUB.