Dental artificial intelligence (AI) diagnostic solution development company DDH is expanding into the Chinese market with its Panorama X-ray-based automatic diagnosis solution 'PANO'. The company announced a three-way strategic business agreement with Zhennam International Medical Center in Shandong Province, China, and Zheng Mei, a Chinese dental distribution company.
PANO utilizes an advanced AI learning model developed in collaboration with the Department of Imaging Dentistry at Seoul National University Dental Hospital. By analyzing big data from major university hospitals' Research Ethics Review Committee (IRB), the solution diagnoses common oral diseases such as dental caries (cavities) and rootitis (inflammation of tooth roots) in real-time. This technology supports dentists in establishing patient-specific treatment plans and consultations with accuracy and speed.
DDH secured marketing authorization for PANO from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) in July of this year, becoming the first in the industry to achieve this milestone. Since its official launch in Korea on September 25, PANO has attracted over 100 dentists, demonstrating significant interest and adoption in the domestic dental market.
The strategic business agreement with Zhennam International Medical Center and Zheng Mei aims to provide clinical and academic support, as well as establish stable sales networks, to facilitate marketing approval from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) in China. Zhennam International Medical Center will support the promotion of PANO's clinical approval through China's NMPA fast track.
Zhengmei plans to enter into a non-exclusive agreement with DDH and will promote the solution at an international dental conference in Shandong in December, inviting 5,000 dentists from dealerships and Zhengmei members across China. This initiative aims to drive business in the Shandong and Shanxi regions following marketing approval.
Earlier, Zhennam International Medical Center signed a four-way joint research agreement with the Small and Medium Venture Business Promotion Corporation, Seoul National University Graduate School of Dentistry, and Shandong First Medical College, to support Korean dental companies entering the Chinese market. The Korea-China Industrial Cooperation Center was established at the Zhennam International Medical Center, with DDH as the first tenant company. Shandong First Medical University also plans to integrate "PANO" into its curriculum to train 1,000 digital dentists annually.
According to DDH, local Chinese investment institutions have shown increased interest in the company following this agreement, and detailed consultations are underway to attract investment. DDH is also in discussions with Arrail Group, a Chinese dental franchise, to establish a partnership, including goodwill, following the establishment of DDH's Chinese subsidiary in October.
"Dental AI diagnostic solutions have already proven their utility through companies like Overjet and Pearl in the United States," said Heo Soo-bok, CEO of DDH. "Securing a stable sales network in China's government-affiliated institutions and dental industries demonstrates the business feasibility of leading the global market in dental AI diagnostic solutions."
