vVARDIS Secures Strategic Investment from Apollo, Reaching Unicorn Valuation
vVARDIS Holding AG, a rapidly expanding dental medtech innovator focused on transforming the way tooth decay is treated, has announced a strategic minority investment from funds managed by Apollo Global Management. This latest funding marks a significant milestone in the company’s growth journey, positioning it among a select group of privately held European healthcare companies valued at over $1 billion. The investment is expected to accelerate vVARDIS’ global expansion strategy, particularly across key markets in the United States and Europe, while supporting the broader commercialization of its flagship Curodont™ product portfolio.
Founded and led by co-CEOs Dr. Haley Abivardi and Dr. Goly Abivardi, vVARDIS has emerged as a pioneer in non-invasive dental therapies. Despite the new investment, the founders will continue to maintain a substantial majority stake in the business, underscoring their long-term commitment to the company’s mission and strategic direction. Their vision centers on reshaping dentistry through science-driven innovation that moves beyond traditional mechanical interventions such as drilling and filling.
At the heart of vVARDIS’ innovation is its Curodont™ technology platform, which represents a groundbreaking advancement in the treatment of early-stage tooth decay. Unlike conventional approaches that rely on invasive procedures, Curodont™ utilizes peptide-based formulations that actively promote enamel regeneration. These formulations work by facilitating the formation of new crystalline mineral structures within damaged enamel, effectively repairing the tooth from within. This approach offers dental professionals a clinically validated, easy-to-apply solution that addresses cavities at an earlier stage, reducing the need for more aggressive treatments later.
The commercial traction of Curodont™ has been particularly notable in the United States. Since the introduction of Curodont™ Repair Fluoride Plus in the U.S. market more than two years ago, the product has been used to treat approximately three million teeth. It has achieved widespread adoption, now being utilized in nearly 20 percent of general dental practices nationwide. This rapid uptake reflects both strong clinical confidence and a growing demand for minimally invasive treatment options among practitioners and patients alike. Furthermore, the product has established itself as one of the fastest-growing offerings in the dental care segment, highlighting its disruptive potential in a traditionally conservative field.
Executives at Apollo emphasized the strategic rationale behind the investment, pointing to vVARDIS’ differentiated business model and its role in creating a new category within dental care. The company’s innovations are supported by peer-reviewed clinical data, which has helped build credibility and trust within the dental community. By backing vVARDIS, Apollo aims to support the company’s efforts to expand its presence in major markets and make its restorative technologies accessible to a broader patient population worldwide.
From the company’s perspective, the investment represents more than just financial backing—it is a catalyst for scaling operations and strengthening commercial infrastructure. Dr. Haley Abivardi highlighted the longstanding gap in dentistry that Curodont™ addresses. Traditionally, when preventive measures fail, patients are left with invasive treatment options involving drilling and anesthesia. Curodont™, however, provides a non-invasive alternative that is both efficient and patient-friendly. Its growing adoption underscores the urgency of addressing unmet needs in dental care, particularly as patients increasingly seek less invasive and more comfortable treatment experiences.
Dr. Goly Abivardi further emphasized the company’s mission to bring a medical and scientific approach to dentistry. By leveraging peptide-based technologies, vVARDIS is advancing what it describes as “generative dentistry”—a paradigm that focuses on regenerating natural tooth structures rather than replacing them with synthetic materials. This approach not only enhances clinical outcomes but also aligns with broader trends toward sustainability and biocompatibility in healthcare.
The broader market opportunity for vVARDIS is substantial. Tooth decay remains the most prevalent non-communicable disease globally, affecting a significant majority of adults. In the United States alone, nearly 90 percent of adults experience cavities at some point in their lives. Beyond oral health, untreated dental conditions have been linked to systemic health issues, including an increased risk of chronic diseases and even higher all-cause mortality rates. These connections underscore the importance of early intervention and effective treatment strategies.
Recent guidelines from the World Health Organization have further reinforced the importance of preventive and non-invasive approaches to oral healthcare. These recommendations align closely with vVARDIS’ core mission, providing additional validation for its technology and strategy. By focusing on early-stage intervention, the company aims to reduce the overall burden of dental disease while improving patient outcomes and lowering long-term healthcare costs.
With an addressable market estimated to exceed $30 billion in the United States alone, vVARDIS is well-positioned to capitalize on growing demand for innovative dental solutions. The company’s expansion plans include increasing market penetration in existing regions while entering new geographies, supported by strategic partnerships and continued investment in research and development.
Although the financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed, the significance of the investment is clear. It not only validates vVARDIS’ technological and commercial potential but also provides the resources needed to scale its operations globally. As the company continues to build momentum, it is poised to play a transformative role in the future of dentistry—shifting the focus from invasive procedures to regenerative, science-based care.
In summary, the partnership between vVARDIS and Apollo marks a pivotal moment for the dental medtech sector. By combining innovative technology with strategic investment, the collaboration has the potential to redefine how cavities are treated worldwide, ultimately improving both oral and overall health outcomes for millions of patients.
About vVARDIS AG
vVARDIS is a disruptive Swiss healthcare company in the dental med-tech sector headquartered in Zug, Switzerland that offers groundbreaking, non-invasive solutions for dental professionals with the Curodont™ brand of products. Founded by Drs. Haley and Goly Abivardi, DMDs, sisters, internationally renowned dentists, innovators and self-made serial entrepreneurs, vVARDIS is the result of more than 25 years of research, paired with the commitment of its founders to make an impact on people’s lives, especially the underserved.
vVARDIS’ mission is to expand access to novel approaches that create new standards of care in dentistry with the purpose of improving oral health – the foundation for overall health. Backed by 25 years of research and more than 10 years of use in clinical practices globally, vVARDIS’ products and science are supported by more than 250 scientific publications, including meta-analysis, peer-reviewed and long-term peer-reviewed real-world evidence clinical studies, with a documented success rate above 90%.
Curodont™ products are already presented in the lectures of renowned universities as a standard of care for the treatment of early decay. vVARDIS was awarded the 2026 Innovative Company of the Year and is a member of the World Economic Forum Innovator Communities. For more information, visit vVARDIS at www.vVARDIS.com and www.linkedin.com/company/vvardis .
About Apollo
Apollo is a high-growth, global alternative asset manager. In our asset management business, we seek to provide our clients excess return at every point along the risk-reward spectrum from investment grade credit to private equity. For more than three decades, our investing expertise across our fully integrated platform has served the financial return needs of our clients and provided businesses with innovative capital solutions for growth.
Through Athene, our retirement services business, we specialize in helping clients achieve financial security by providing a suite of retirement savings products and acting as a solutions provider to institutions. Our patient, creative, and knowledgeable approach to investing aligns our clients, businesses we invest in, our employees, and the communities we impact, to expand opportunity and achieve positive outcomes. As of December 31, 2025, Apollo had approximately $938 billion of assets under management.
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