Nanostart AG has taken
a significant ownership position in BioMers Pte Ltd, a Singapore-based medical
technology company with a branch office in the U.S. The company is developing
innovative new solutions for various biomedical applications with its technology.
BioMers has developed the world's only completely translucent braces system
for orthodontic treatment. The product is set to fundamentally transform the
multi-billion-dollar global market for orthodontic devices. The company also
has an exciting pipeline of future products for other medical and dental applications.
BioMers is a spin-off from the renowned National University of Singapore (NUS),
where the technology was invented. The technology makes use of advanced nanomaterials
and fibre-reinforced polymer composite techniques to create translucent arch
wires that are just as competent as metal wires. An initial and extraordinarily
promising application for this innovative product is the rapidly growing market
for orthodontic braces. BioMers is the world’s only provider of orthodontic
solutions that can produce aesthetic-looking arch wires.
Aesthetic brackets have been available for more than 10 years. However, until
now, only metal has had the mechanical properties needed for the arch wires
which run along the middle of the brackets. Using nanotechnology, BioMers is
able for the first time to produce translucent and thus cosmetically acceptable
braces and retainers (worn by patients following treatment with braces), a competitive
advantage which offers BioMers the potential to be the number-one choice in
the orthodontics market.
The global market for orthodontic braces (arch wires and brackets) and retainers
is currently estimated at some USD 2.4 billion annually. Over the past nine
years, the U.S. market for orthodontics has grown at an annual rate of approx.
7.5 percent per year, while various regions in Asia have seen orthodontics grow
at double-digit rates.
The company has already received regulatory approval for its orthodontic products
in the United States, the European Union and Japan. The capital invested by
Nanostart will be primarily used to strengthen sales and marketing resources
and to further expand the already existing network of some 40 international
distribution partners.
Andreas Kröll, managing director of Nanostart Asia, remarked that “BioMers
has developed, with the help of its leading-edge nanotechnology, a superb product
with uniquely innovative characteristics. With the growth in demand for more
aesthetically pleasing solutions, the company stands to revolutionize the global
market for orthodontic devices, a market which has seen relatively little innovation
in recent decades. This promises to deliver high returns.”
Dr. Mervyn Fathianathan, Managing Director of BioMers, added: “We are
extremely pleased about bringing on board an investor like Nanostart with its
uniquely successful track record in nanotechnology investments. Its international
network and business experience will be of enormous help in the further development
and growth of our company.”
Nanostart has taken the position of Lead Investor in this new addition to its
investment portfolio by way of its Nanostart Singapore Early Stage Venture Fund
I. The fund now owns about 16 percent of Biomers.