※ Kyungpook National University Startup Support Group operates the “Startup Leap Package (Large Corporation Collaboration Sector)” for startups in partnership with SKT. It promotes innovative growth by activating startups’ ideas and technologies based on collaboration with large corporations. IT Donga introduces promising startups that participated in the Kyungpook National University–SKT collaboration sector of the Startup Leap Package.


“Convergence” has long been cited as a core keyword of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The ability of technologies and knowledge from different fields to come together and create new value is the key competitive edge of modern industry. However, the conservative medical sector, and dentistry in particular, is still heavily dependent on analog methods and experience, so it is considered an area where digital transformation is progressing slowly.

Neodex (CEO Yoon Sung-jun) is a startup seeking to drive change in this solid market through the convergence of engineering and medicine. It was founded by CEO Yoon, who has a unique background as a graduate of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Seoul National University and as an 18th-year dentist (operating “Miso-ya Dental Clinic” in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul). Neodex aims to go beyond simple manufacturing of dental medical devices and build an AI (artificial intelligence)-based treatment guidance system.

The reporter spoke with CEO Yoon about the development process of the “Hippo” series, which improves the efficiency of dental treatment, and about the future of digital dentistry envisioned by Neodex.

- The career path as both an engineer and dentist is unusual. What led to the decision to start a business?

: Initially, he graduated from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Seoul National University and completed a graduate program. In line with the contemporary trend emphasizing the need for convergence between medicine and engineering, he entered the newly established School of Dentistry as part of its first cohort and became a dentist. Since 2009, he has worked on the clinical front line for more than 10 years and came to feel that the dental industry was more outdated and slower to develop than expected.

In particular, because the “fast follower” model of simply following overseas-centric technologies prevailed, there was a lack of original technologies unique to Korea. Convinced that combining engineering knowledge with clinical experience could resolve the inconveniences that dentists face in practice and accelerate digital transformation, he founded the company in 2019.

- What did Neodex identify as the biggest problem in the dental medical field?

: Broadly, there are two issues. The first is the lack of intraoral image data. While there is plenty of data such as X-rays, there is a severe shortage of high-quality intraoral image data that looks like what is actually seen during treatment. To move into a high value-added industry in the AI era, securing this “visual data” is essential, but because the process of opening the mouth and taking images is itself difficult, data collection was challenging.

The second is the shortage of dental assistant personnel. During treatment, assistants are essential for tasks such as keeping the patient’s mouth open or suctioning saliva, but recruitment difficulties are so serious that it is often hard for a dentist to treat patients alone. The first product developed to solve these two problems simultaneously is the mouth opener (mouth opening maintenance device) “Hippo” series.

- Please explain in more detail about the main products, the “Hippo Series (Hippo-D, Hippo-U).”

: The Hippo series is not just a simple mouth opener, but a device that maximizes treatment efficiency. “Hippo-D” is the premium model, in which a suction line is integrated into the mouth opener. When connected to the dental unit chair, it allows the dentist alone, without an assistant, to keep the patient’s mouth open and perform suction during treatment.

“Hippo-U” is a standard model focused on the function of keeping the mouth open, without suction. It was developed in response to requests to improve the shortcomings of existing overseas products that had dominated the market. Both products help patients keep their mouths open comfortably, enabling dentists to use both hands freely and thereby increasing the precision of treatment.


- Similar overseas products already existed. What are Neodex’s unique technological differentiators?

: With a background in materials engineering, he initially thought material development would be straightforward, but it took more than three years just to find the optimal material. Existing U.S. products were too bulky and large, blocking the field of view during treatment, causing patients pain, or falling out easily.

Neodex tested the product on over 3,000 people and developed it using a new material with high elasticity that is harmless to the human body. As a result, it reduced patients’ pain and secured enough flexibility for them to open and close their mouths even while wearing the device. The price was also set at about 70% of that of existing products, securing cost competitiveness.

- Market reaction is of interest. What are the actual results?

: Since its official domestic launch in 2023, the product has been supplied to and tested by five major university hospitals nationwide, including Seoul National University Dental Hospital, Pusan National University, Kyungpook National University, Chonnam National University, and Wonkwang University. More than 1,000 general dental clinics are also using the product.

Sales have been on a steady growth trajectory. They grew in 2024 compared to 2023, and in particular, in 2025 the company achieved rapid sales growth of more than 300% year-on-year. Overseas market response has been especially strong. Exports have already begun to five countries, and the company plans to expand this to more than 10 countries this year.


- It is understood that “Hippo” is just the beginning, and that the ultimate goal is medical data and AI solutions.

: That is correct. The fundamental reason for developing Hippo-D was to secure high-quality intraoral image data. When the patient wears Hippo, the mouth is stably opened, making imaging easier.

The company is currently developing an AI solution tentatively named “Dentrix” in collaboration with the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Inha University. Based on big data collected in cooperation with Korea University, Seoul National University, and Kyungpook National University, the system enables AI to guide the direction and position of implant placement during procedures. In addition, Neodex is developing dental smart glasses so that, when the dentist wears these glasses and looks at the patient, AI can display surgical information in real time in front of the eyes, thereby building an integrated ecosystem.

- How helpful was the Startup Leap Package program jointly run by Kyungpook National University and SK Telecom?

: Having lived as an engineer and doctor, he lacked know-how in corporate management and fundraising (IR). Through this program, he was able to meet investors directly and learn how to narrow the gap between a technology-centric mindset and investors’ perspectives.

It was particularly beneficial to receive both academic support from the university and business consulting from SKT. Through seminars and consulting sessions connected by SKT, the company acquired practical corporate management know-how, which became a major foundation for Neodex’s leap from a simple manufacturing company to a data platform company.

- What are the future plans and goals?

: As mentioned, the goal for 2026 is to increase the number of export destinations to 10 countries and grow export volume more than tenfold year-on-year. In the longer term, the company aims to create high value-added business by commercializing the AI solution “Dentrix” and smart glasses using data secured through the Hippo series.

Until now, Korea’s dental industry has been busy following existing advanced countries. From now on, however, Neodex aims to become a “first mover” that pioneers new markets through convergence technologies. With a sense of mission as both medical professional and engineer, the company intends to grow into a global enterprise leading digital innovation in dental treatment.

IT Donga reporter Kim Young-woo (pengo@itdonga.com)

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