Angelaligner Technology Co., Ltd. (6699.HK), a Shanghai-based manufacturer of clear aligners, strongly denies the patent infringement allegations filed by California-based Align Technology Inc. and pledges to vigorously defend itself in court.
Rich Hirschland, Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of Angelaligner, stated, “Over the past 20 years, Angelaligner has built deep expertise in clinically driven innovation.
The infringement allegations against us are completely without merit. We have invested significantly in patent compliance since our founding, and we are confident that we will prevail in this case.”
Founded in 2003, Angelaligner has treated over 1.5 million patients. The company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2021 and began its global expansion strategy in 2023, currently serving over 50 countries and regions.
Hirschland added that the lawsuit is not expected to have a material impact on the company’s growth and may even highlight Angelaligner’s success story to attract more international clients.
Meanwhile, Align Technology announced on Monday that it has filed patent lawsuits against Angelaligner in the United States, Europe, and China, alleging infringement of its multi-layer aligner materials, treatment planning software, and advanced aligner features. The company is seeking injunctive relief and monetary damages.
Julie Coletti, Align’s Executive Vice President and Chief Legal and Regulatory Officer, emphasized the company’s commitment to protecting its innovations: “We welcome fair competition.
But when other companies choose to copy our years of hard work and investment rather than pursue independent research and development, we will defend our intellectual property.”
Coletti noted that the patents in question are a key component of Align’s extensive intellectual property portfolio and reflect its core innovation in clear aligner treatments.
Align discloses that it invests over $300 million annually in research and development, and nearly $2 billion cumulatively since 2001, demonstrating its unwavering commitment to innovation and patient outcomes.
Align operates across the Americas, EMEA, and Asia Pacific, with global clinical planning centers in Costa Rica, Poland, Chengdu, China, Spain, France, Germany, and Japan.
Its manufacturing facilities in Juarez, Mexico; Wroc?aw, Poland; and Ziyang, China, form the backbone of what the company claims is the world’s largest 3D printing network for dental aligners.