Straumann en Align stoppen distributieovereenkomst iTero intra-oral scanners

18 oktober 2012 - Straumann and Align stoppen de distributieovereenkomst voor  iTero intra-oral scanners. Hieronder treft u de originele tekst van het persbericht aan.

Straumann and Align Technology,Inc. today announced that they have decided to discontinue their distribution agreements for the iTero intra-oral scanner in Europe and North America with effect of 31 December 2012. The exclusive distribution agreement in Europe was signed in 2009 between Straumann and Cadent Inc., the developer of iTero, which was acquired by Align Technology in April 2011. The agreement awarding Straumann non-exclusive distribution rights in North America was signed shortly before the acquisition.

Beat Spalinger, President & CEO of Straumann explained the rationale behind Straumann’s decision: “We are convinced that intra-oral scanning will have a major role in daily dental practice thanks to its superior accuracy, convenience and patient comfort in comparison with conventional impression taking. Furthermore, we are convinced that iTero is one of the best intra-oral scanners available. However, we have decided to step back from distributing this hardware for three reasons:

First, our experience over the past three years has shown that a single hardware brand limits our addressable market. Moving ahead, our CARES CADCAM system will be accessible to various intra-oral scanning systems, including the iTero scanner.

Second, our core business is in tooth replacement and restoration. We now have the digital work-flow in place that enables us to produce high precision prosthetics for dental implants starting from an intra-oral scan. As a result, we no longer need to sell intra-oral scanners directly and will focus our resources on driving our CARES business.

And lastly, we have come to the conclusion that the business case for distributing scanners is not economically viable for us in the present economic environment.”

Align and Straumann are fully committed to providing continued support and services to existing iTero customers. The two companies are currently working together on plans for a smooth transition and will communicate details to customers as soon as they are finalized. In the meantime, Straumann will continue to offer first-level equipment support in Europe for at least the next 12 months, after which full responsibility for regional customer service will transfer to Align.|

Straumann is strongly committed to digital dentistry and the development of digital workflows as part of its CARES platform and product offering. The discontinuation of the distribution agreements with Align will not affect the launch of new CARES services and products. However, it will have an impact on Straumann’s intra-oral scanning staff and further details in this respect will be communicated with the company’s third-quarter results on 30 October. Intra-oral scanner sales contribute approximately one percent of Straumann’s Group net revenues.

About Align Technology, Inc.
Align Technology (NASDAQ: ALGN) designs, manufactures and markets Invisalign, a proprietary method for treating malocclusion, or the misalignment of teeth. Align Technology was founded in March 1997 and is based in San Jose, California. Cadent Holdings, Inc. is a subsidiary of Align Technology and is a leading provider of 3D digital scanning solutions for orthodontics and dentistry..

About Straumann
Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, the Straumann Group (SIX: STMN) is a global leader in implant and restorative dentistry and oral tissue regeneration. In collaboration with leading clinics, research institutes and universities, Straumann researches, develops and manufactures dental implants, instruments, prosthetics and tissue regeneration products for use in tooth replacement and restoration solutions or to prevent tooth loss. Straumann currently employs more than 2500 people worldwide and its products and services are available in more than 70 countries through its broad network of distribution subsidiaries and partners.