Liverpool-founded Evo has raised £4m of investment from BGF to roll out its jaw correction clinics across the UK.
Now headquartered in London, Evo uses engineering to provide dental implant solutions for patients who suffer from severe dental problems caused by advanced gum disease, congenital bone loss or accidents, and who require a full jaw reconstruction. The treatment should only take a day.
Evo will use the funding to expand its clinics, which feature on-site dental laboratories with the latest hi-tech medical manufacturing technology and roll them out across the UK and explore international growth.
The treatment was developed by founder Dr R.P. Vijayanarayanan (Vijay) and a team of highly skilled dental surgeons, dental technicians and clinical CAD designers.
The process features digital scanning, prosthesis manufacturing, 3D printing, and high-precision milling machines with an accuracy of below ten microns, which is similar to the measurement accuracy used in aerospace engineering.
The business claims to have completed more than 3,000 full-arch reconstructions for patients to date.
CEO Dr Vijay said: “Evo is taking what’s possible in dentistry today far beyond the limits of what has previously been available. We’ve combined state-of-the-art engineering, innovation and first-class patient care to deliver a solution for the chronic types of tooth problems that inflict millions of people across the UK.”
The Adult Dental Health survey and ONS data suggest that more than five million people in UK could benefit clinically from this treatment.
Dr Vijay continued: “We chose to partner with BGF because of their culture and approach. We have very ambitious expansion plans and wanted to work with someone who will support us longer-term, and also introduce us to people outside of our immediate space that can help us grow as a business.”
BGF has invested close to £100m into healthcare and medical technology companies across the UK. These include pioneering internet pharmacy Pharmacy2U, dialysis provider Renal Services, discharge services provider CHS Healthcare and online platform Caresourcer, amongst others.
The investment was led for BGF by George Tsangarides, Thomas McDonnell and Alistair Brew, who joins the Board of the company.
Alistair Brew, BGF said: “Evo is an example of the best of British craftmanship, engineering and technology. The company has built a reputation for clinical excellence and is at the forefront of a nascent, but potentially very large market.
“Led by Dr Vijay, the team has huge ambitions to take this treatment across the UK and internationally, and we’re delighted to be backing them.”