Align Technology has announced that it has completed the acquisition of privately-held Cubicure GmbH, a direct 3D printing solutions for polymer additive manufacturing that develops, produces, and distributes innovative materials, equipment, and processes for novel 3D printing solutions.
“The acquisition of Cubicure brings a talented team and unique cutting-edge technology into Align and will enable us to scale our 3D printing operations to eventually direct print millions of custom appliances per day. Direct 3D printing enables Align to create 3D printed solutions without the added step of first creating a mould, making 3D printing more sustainable and efficient. I am excited to take this important step in our relationship with Cubicure, which began several years ago as a joint development programme,” said Joe Hogan, Align Technology president and CEO.
The acquisition is said to support and scale Align’s strategic innovation roadmap and strengthen the Align Digital Platform. Cubicure will also extend and scale Align’s printing, materials, and manufacturing capabilities for its 3D printed product portfolio which includes the Invisalign Palatal Expander system, Align’s first direct 3D printed orthodontic device and a safe, comfortable, and clinically effective* alternative to traditional palatal expanders.
Cubicure’s patented Hot Lithography technology uses a special heating and coating mechanism that enables the processing of highly viscous resins to produce particularly tough and temperature-resistant polymers. This high precision 3D printing process facilitates additive manufacturing of resilient components with a reported first-of-its-kind material quality performance.
“Align has invested billions of dollars on innovation over the past 27 years, including next-generation 3D printing technologies to process high-performance polymers. We have been working with Cubicure for years and I am thrilled that they are now officially employees of Align and members of our R&D organization,” said Srini Kaza, Align senior vice president, product research & development. “We are at the beginning of this next wave of direct 3D printing additive manufacturing and I believe we are poised to transform the orthodontic industry again with our unprecedented ability to direct print devices.”
The acquisition closed on 2 Jan 2024, for approximately €79mil (US$86mil) subject to final closing adjustments and adjustments for Align’s existing ownership of capital stock of Cubicure.
*Based on a survey in August 2023 in Canada of 10 Invisalign trained orthodontists who participated in the Invisalign Palatal Expander System Technical Design Assessment and have treated at least 1 patient age 6-11 years with IPE. Data on file at Align Technology, Inc. as of October 30, 2023.
Related: Align Technology receives US FDA 510(K) clearance for the Invisalign Palatal Expander System
