SAN JOSE, Calif., April 27, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Align Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq:ALGN) announced today that the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) has completed its review of Align's complaint and voted to institute a formal enforcement proceeding related to ClearCorrect's violation of a 2006 Consent Order issued in the prior OrthoClear ITC proceeding. Align's complaint seeks to remedy the continuing infringement of Align's patents by ClearCorrect Operating, LLC, of Houston, Texas, ClearCorrect Pakistan (Private) Ltd., and certain former OrthoClear employees who now own, manage, and are employed by ClearCorrect Pakistan. The ITC's decision is based on the complaint filed by Align on March 1, 2012.

The complaint filed with the ITC seeks enforcement of a prior Consent Order issued by the ITC on October 27, 2006 in the OrthoClear ITC action that targets certain former OrthoClear employees who now own, manage, and are employed by ClearCorrect Pakistan in Lahore, Pakistan. These individuals, previously directors and managers of OrthoClear's operations in Pakistan, are currently violating the Consent Order by continuing to engage in infringing activities, only now on behalf of ClearCorrect Pakistan and ClearCorrect Houston.

Align became aware of ClearCorrect's operations in Pakistan during the discovery process in the Company's federal patent infringement case against ClearCorrect filed last year. Previously, ClearCorrect had not publicly acknowledged that its aligner treatment planning work is done in Pakistan or that it works with former OrthoClear employees there.

On April 2, 2012, the Company also announced that the ITC had agreed to separately investigate the alleged infringement of Align's patents by ClearCorrect Operating, LLC, of Houston, Texas and ClearCorrect Pakistan (Private), Ltd., of Pakistan.

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

         

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         Shannon Mangum Henderson

         Ethos Communication, Inc.

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