SAN JOSE, Calif., Jan. 18, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Align Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq:ALGN) today responded to a press release issued by German company Ortho Caps GmbH relating to a patent infringement lawsuit Align filed against Ortho Caps on December 21, 2011 in the District Court of Dusseldorf. In the lawsuit, Align asserts that Ortho Caps infringes five Align patents with respect to the production and sale of Ortho Caps orthodontic aligners. On January 18, 2012 Ortho Caps GmbH issued an English-language press release alleging that the patent claims Align has asserted against Ortho Caps are invalid.

"We are not surprised by the allegations in the Ortho Caps' press release," said Roger E. George, Align vice president, legal affairs and general counsel. "When parties cannot defend against claims of patent infringement, they often resort to challenging the validity of the patents at issue. To date, Ortho Caps has not denied infringement of Align's patents."

Align has an extensive portfolio of 245 U.S. and 171 international patents with 273 patents pending worldwide. Numerous Align patents, which essentially correspond to the ones being asserted against Ortho Caps, have successfully withstood challenges in litigation and/or through the U.S. Patent Office's rigorous reexam process. Align is confident of the strength and validity of its patent portfolio.

About Align Technology, Inc.

Align Technology designs, manufactures and markets Invisalign, a proprietary method for treating malocclusion, or the misalignment of teeth. Invisalign corrects malocclusion using a series of clear, nearly invisible, removable appliances that gently move teeth to a desired final position. Because it does not rely on the use of metal or ceramic brackets and wires, Invisalign significantly reduces the aesthetic and other limitations associated with braces. Invisalign is appropriate for treating adults and teens. Align Technology was founded in March 1997 and received FDA clearance to market Invisalign in 1998.The Invisalign product family includes Invisalign, Invisalign Teen, Invisalign Assist, Invisalign Express 10, Invisalign Express 5, and Vivera Retainers.

To learn more about Invisalign or to find an Invisalign trained doctor in your area, please visit www.invisalign.com.

Cadent Holdings, Inc. is a subsidiary of Align Technology and is a leading provider of 3D digital scanning solutions for orthodontics and dentistry. The Cadent family of products includes iTero and iOC scanning systems, OrthoCAD iCast, OrthoCAD iQ and OrthoCAD iRecord. For additional information, please visit www.itero.com.

 

CONTACT: Investor Relations Contact

         Shirley Stacy

         Align Technology, Inc.

         (408) 470-1150

         sstacy@aligntech.com

         

         Press Contact

         Shannon Mangum Henderson

         Ethos Communication, Inc.

         (678) 261-7803

         align@ethoscommunication.com