On August 16, VCBeat (WeChat ID: vcbeat) learned that Beijing Demei United Medical Technology Co., Ltd. (“Demei Medical”), a well-known domestic brand in sports medicine, announced the completion of its Series C financing round amounting to tens of millions of RMB. The lead investor was Qiming Venture Partners, a prestigious firm in China’s venture capital industry, while Boxing Capital, which focuses on early-stage healthcare investments, participated as a co-investor.
Delta Medical is committed to providing patients with comprehensive, integrated solutions for sports medicine treatment. Li Jianbo, Co-Founder and General Manager, stated that this round of financing will provide strong support for the company’s upcoming core product research and development as well as market promotion, while also helping to establish a more robust operational environment.
With the widespread adoption of mass sports and the growing aging population, the incidence of sports injuries and degenerative osteoarticular diseases has been increasing year by year. Sports medicine in China has developed into a relatively mature subspecialty, primarily providing precise treatment for sports-related conditions such as ligament injuries, meniscal repair and transplantation, cartilage restoration, rotator cuff tears, and artificial joint replacement.
In 2008, Li Jianbo obtained his master’s degree in Clinical Medicine from Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. After graduation, he entered the field of sports medicine directly, facilitating the market launch of imported sports medicine products in China. “Compared with the international market, China’s sports medicine sector started later. With the state’s vigorous promotion of the National Fitness Program, the proportion of the population regularly engaging in physical exercise has continued to rise, leading to a corresponding increase in sports-related diseases and injuries. The demand in the sports medicine market is growing rapidly, with a growth rate far exceeding that of traditional orthopedics,” stated Li Jianbo.
However, Li Jianbo noted that the field of sports medicine in China also faces significant challenges, with over 80% of the domestic market share for related products occupied by American imports, which are priced prohibitively high. He recalled, “When distributing imported products, I witnessed many families delay optimal treatment while deliberating over the cost of surgery.” To ensure that more people receive proper care after sports injuries and have access to high-quality sports medicine products at affordable prices, Li Jianbo founded Delta Medical in 2015, establishing it as China’s first medical device company dedicated to the independent research and development, manufacturing, and sales of sports medicine products.
After more than four years of development, Delta Medical has built its capabilities around core technologies in sports medicine, holding multiple international patents, over a dozen Chinese invention patents, and dozens of utility model patents, with numerous products having received provincial- and municipal-level certifications.
Delta Medical’s product portfolio encompasses commonly used clinical consumables, a wide range of surgical instruments, and arthroscopic equipment, meeting the needs for both arthroscopic and open surgeries in the treatment of common and frequently occurring sports medicine conditions affecting the shoulder, knee, and other joints. Core products include independently developed ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene sutures, suture anchors in various models and materials, button plates with loops, and meniscal repair systems. These products are indicated for the repair and fixation of common clinical conditions such as tissue tears, avulsion injuries at tendon insertion sites, dislocation stabilization, and open-door laminoplasty with fixation for cervical decompression.
To ensure that products truly align with clinical practice, the majority of Delta Medical’s R&D efforts involve in-depth collaboration with renowned experts in the field, thereby meeting the demand for optimal clinical solutions.
Li Jianbo commented on the current market landscape, stating, “Imported products are prohibitively expensive and cater to a narrow customer base. In contrast, domestically produced products—such as our suture anchors and sutures—have already demonstrated quality far surpassing that of imported brands during the testing phase. Our pricing strategy is designed for the general public. High-quality, affordable products with broad accessibility can fundamentally drive the sustained development of sports medicine in China.”
Currently, Delta Medical has established partnerships with more than 500 clients and institutions both domestically and internationally, with its products covering all provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions across China. Overseas markets, including South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Southeast Asia, and Europe, have begun trialing Delta Medical’s products, while international approval and registration processes are proceeding in an orderly manner. Li Jianbo stated, “In 2019, Delta Medical’s sales revenue is projected to reach tens of millions of RMB.”
When discussing the company’s growth prospects, Li Jianbo expressed strong confidence. Since 2012, both consumption and demand in China’s sports medicine end-user market have grown at an annual rate exceeding 30%. In 2018, the number of arthroscopic surgeries performed domestically reached 800,000 to 1 million cases, indicating that the total value of the sports medicine market approached RMB 10 billion. “The future of sports medicine holds broad development prospects. With favorable policy guidance, rapid industry growth trends, and superior product quality, Delta Medical is poised to shine brightly in the Chinese and even global sports medicine markets.”
The founding team of Delta Medical has been deeply rooted in the field of sports medicine for many years, keeping pace with the forefront of industry development, aligning closely with clinical application needs, and continuously pursuing research, development, and innovation. This is why the company has earned support from various stakeholders and gained favor among institutions.
Zhang Ao, Executive Director of Qiming Venture Partners, stated, “Delta Medical has promptly adjusted its R&D direction based on market feedback, strictly adhered to national standards in production, and pragmatically expanded its market presence and user services. This organic cycle integrating R&D, manufacturing, and sales has ensured its vitality in competitive markets both in China and globally. We believe that Delta Medical boasts a leading strategic positioning and layout, and we are delighted to partner with this professional leading brand in sports medicine.”
Li Zhenming, Partner at Boxing Capital, stated, “The funds under our management have participated in every round of financing for Delta Medical. We are highly optimistic about the growth prospects of the sports medicine industry in China. After years of comprehensive collaboration, we have full confidence in the exceptional execution capabilities and leadership of Delta Medical’s founding team. Delta Medical provides leading one-stop solutions for doctors and patients in China and possesses the capability to expand into global markets. We believe that Delta Medical will continue to lead the domestic sports medicine industry.”
About Qiming Venture Partners
Qiming Venture Partners was established in 2006 and has successively set up offices in Shanghai, Beijing, Suzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Seattle, Boston, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Currently, Qiming Venture Partners manages seven U.S. dollar funds and five RMB funds, with total assets under management exceeding USD 4 billion. Since its inception, Qiming Venture Partners has focused on investing in outstanding early-stage and growth-stage companies in industries such as TMT (Technology, Media, and Telecom) and healthcare. It has invested in more than 310 companies, among which over 60 have been listed on exchanges including the New York Stock Exchange, NASDAQ, the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, the Taipei Exchange, the Shanghai Stock Exchange, and the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. Nearly 30 of these portfolio companies have become industry-recognized unicorns and super unicorns.
About Boying Capital
Boxing Capital is a specialized investment firm focused on early-stage healthcare investments, founded by partners with extensive experience in medical sector investing. The firm currently manages funds totaling nearly RMB 1 billion, with key investments in over 30 innovative medical device and healthcare service projects that hold significant market potential. Many of these portfolio companies have grown to become leaders in their respective sub-sectors, and the firm has successfully realized profitable exits from multiple investments. Boxing Capital’s limited partners include top-tier domestic fund-of-funds, healthcare industry entrepreneurs, and seasoned investors.