SAN JOSE, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 11/02/15 -- Align Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALGN) today announced that it has extended its funding of the Align Research Award Program for a seventh consecutive year for universities in North America and for a sixth year for International universities. The Align Research Award Program is an annually funded program designed to promote clinical and scientific dental research.

"The great enthusiasm with which the Align Research Awards program is received by universities worldwide is evidenced by the yearly increase in the number of applications received. It is extremely rewarding to see the diversity of research topics submitted to the program and an honor for Align Technology to support such excellent research to advance the field of dentistry and the dental profession in general," stated John Morton; Director, Research and Technology, Product Innovation.

Awards for 2016 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.

"The interest and presence of the research awards has increased over the last few years significantly with the number and complexity of cases increasing in the European and Asian markets, resulting in a competitive and rewarding program for all," stated Dr. Mitra Derakhshan; Director, Clinical International, Clinical Support.

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 Daylight Time on April 1, 2016. Award recipients will be notified by June 1, 2016.

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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