SAN JOSE, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 11/03/14 -- Align Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALGN) today announced that it has extended its funding of the Align Research Award Program for a sixth consecutive year for universities in North America and for a fifth year for International universities. In light of the success of the program, the funding available through this program is increasing this year from that offered in past years. The Align Research Award Program is an annually funded program designed to promote clinical and scientific dental research.

"With an increasing number of applications each year and excellent quality of the proposed research, this successful program has become highly competitive," said John Morton, Align Technology director of research and technology. "We are delighted to be able to provide this opportunity for researchers to advance the field of dentistry."

Awards for 2015 include four one-year awards of $25,000 each for dental research at universities in North America and eight one-year awards of $25,000 each for dental research at International universities. Additionally, there are five one-year awards of $5,000 each for intraoral scanner research at universities globally. As part of each scanner research award, Align will either loan the award recipient an iTero™ scanner for one year or provide an additional $10,000 credit towards the purchase of the iTero scanner. Study proposals for intraoral scanner research are not limited to the field of orthodontics; they may address any aspect of dentistry in which scanner technology would be of value.

"These scientific research opportunities provide for greater understanding and acceptance of clear aligner treatment within dental universities and practices worldwide," said Dr. Mitra Derakhshan, Align Technology director of clinical international.

Eligible applicants for the dental research award component include full- and part-time faculty involved in dental or scientific research at universities where Invisalign is available. Eligible applicants to the scanner research award component include full- and part-time faculty involved in research in orthodontics or general dentistry, in countries where the iTero scanner is commercially available. All applications are reviewed by an independent academic committee that forwards its recommendations to Align Technology for final selection. Program details, instructions, and application forms for prospective applicants can be found at https://learn.invisalign.com/researchawards (for North American applicants) and https://learn.invisalign.com/internationalresearch (for International applicants). Research proposals and completed applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on March 1, 2015. Award recipients will be notified by May 9, 2015.

About Align Technology, Inc.
Align Technology is the leader in modern clear aligner orthodontics that designs, manufactures and markets the Invisalign® system, which provides dental professionals with a range of treatment options for adults and teenagers. The Company also offers the iTero 3D digital scanning system and services for orthodontic and restorative dentistry. Align Technology was founded in March 1997 and received FDA clearance to market the Invisalign system in 1998. Visit www.aligntech.com for more information.

For additional information about the Invisalign system or to find an Invisalign provider in your area, please visit www.invisalign.com. For additional information about iTero 3D digital scanning system, please visit www.itero.com.

Source: Align Technology

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