SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Jan. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, OrthoClear, Inc. announced that since its launch in May 2005, over 10,000 patients have entered OrthoClear treatment, making the company the fastest growing invisible orthodontics company in history.
"OrthoClear's growth is a testament to the hard work of our entire team, including OrthoClear's valued customers, patients, and employees. The acceptance OrthoClear has achieved in the marketplace to date would not be possible without the contributions of thousands of individuals. We're very proud of what OrthoClear is doing to improve the market for invisible orthodontics. Our growth validates the need in the marketplace for a superior alternative to previously available methods of straightening teeth with clear aligners," said OrthoClear Chairman Peter Riepenhausen.
Today, OrthoClear, Inc. also announced its preliminary response to Align Technology's recent filings with the International Trade Commission (ITC) and the Federal Court in the Western District of Wisconsin. The filings allege violation of 12 patents, but do not specify how OrthoClear's product infringes on any of the claimed patents.
"The ITC and Wisconsin filings are another in a long line of frivolous lawsuits filed by Align with the intention of curtailing competition in the clear aligner market. The ITC filing is the 4th lawsuit Align has filed against OrthoClear in the past 11 months. With the OrthoClear product continuing to gain market share, Align's filings against OrthoClear have become its strategic maneuver of choice in pacifying its investor base over negative earning announcements. We expect the flurry of lawsuits to continue as OrthoClear surpasses 30% share of the U.S. invisible orthodontics market," said Mr. Riepenhausen.
Each of the 12 patents that Align alleges were violated by OrthoClear were originally written or co-written by Zia Chishti, former founder of Align Technology, Inc. and current CEO of OrthoClear, Inc.
"Our CEO Zia Chishti and President Charlie Wen were both members of the original Align Technology team that developed the Invisalign product. It is counterintuitive that these same individuals would develop a new company around a product and process that violates the very same patents they composed. OrthoClear was founded with the intention of providing a clinically superior product that allows doctors more control over treatment, at a lower cost of care. This requires a unique process that does not duplicate patented processes used by other manufacturers. To date, OrthoClear has filed 37 patents to protect our own propriety processes," continued Mr. Riepenhausen.
Patricia Hummel Seifert, OrthoClear's General Counsel added: "Align has not substantiated any of its filings. After almost a year of threatening OrthoClear with patent litigation, Align still has not specified how any patent has been violated. The fact that Align elected to begin a multi-year legal process instead of pursuing an expedited decision within 90 days supports our belief that Align is attempting to use the patent litigation process as a public relations tactic. We recommend that those interested in Align's claims review them firsthand rather than accept Align's public relations version of the claims."
About OrthoClear:
OrthoClear is the world's leading provider of next generation invisible aligner therapy. Doctors and prospective patients who would like to learn more about OrthoClear may visit the company's website at http://www.orthoclear.com/.
Contact:
Tricia Hummel Seifert
OrthoClear, Inc.
469-643-6395
© 2006 PR Newswire
