SANTA CLARA, Calif., Oct. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Align Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALGN), the inventor of Invisalign®, a proprietary method of straightening teeth without wires and brackets, was recently honored with the 2003 Phoenix Emerging Growth Company Award. The award was presented during a reception at the tenth annual Phoenix: The Medical Device and Diagnostic Conference for CEOs, held earlier this month in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The annual Phoenix Awards recognize outstanding achievements by individuals and companies in the medical device and diagnostic industries. Candidates for the Emerging Growth Company Award were nominated by CEOs of Phoenix sponsor companies. A steering committee of ten industry executives, scholars and technology experts then narrowed the list of candidates to three finalists. The final winner was selected by a vote of all conference attendees.

"It is very rewarding to be nominated and recognized by visionaries and fellow leaders of the medical device industry," said Thomas M. Prescott, Align Technology's President and CEO. "We appreciate the recognition The Phoenix award gives to us as a company."

To be considered for the Emerging Growth Company Award, companies must have sales of less than $200 million in the previous 24 month period. Finalists must have achieved one of the following: dramatic growth in sales, major new product or service offering, highly successful IPO, or a strategically significant merger.

Recent recipients of the Emerging Growth Company Award include Therasense, PercuSurge, Arthocare, and VISX. Align will join these companies in the Phoenix Hall of Fame.

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 older teens. Align Technology was founded in March 1997 and received FDA clearance to market Invisalign in 1998.

To learn more about Invisalign or to find a certified Invisalign doctor in your area, please visit www.invisalign.com or call 1-800-INVISIBLE.

SOURCE Align Technology, Inc.

CONTACT: Barbara Domingo of Align Technology, Inc., +1-408-470-1204, or bdomingo@aligntech.com; or Shannon Henderson of Ethos Communications, Inc., +1-678-417-1767, or shannon@ethoscommunication.com, for Align Technology

Web site: http://www.invisalign.com

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