Align to acquire exocad

Align Technology Inc. will acquire CAD/CAM software company, exocad, the company announced in a statement.

Align signed a definitive agreement to acquire the privately held exocad Global Holdings GmbH for approximately $421.5 million (€376 million). exocad is a global leader in the dental CAD/CAM software market and offers fully integrated workflows for dental labs and practices in over 150 countries.

The acquisition will strengthen Align’s digital platform that delivers tools and features such as diagnostic, restorative, implant, and orthodontic workflows, the company’s statement said. The acquisition will also bring exocad’s expertise in restorative dentistry, implantology, guided surgery, and smile design to the Align technology portfolio, expanding Align’s Invisalign and iTero digital solutions. exocad will also reportedly broaden Align’s platform reach in digital dentistry with close to 200 partners and more than 35,000 licenses installed worldwide.

“Dentistry today is evolving digitally, with technology advances and consumer awareness driving new opportunities in ortho­ restorative and comprehensive treatment. Align is in a unique position to lead the digital transformation of dentistry by reimagining comprehensive treatment planning and by reinventing the way orthodontists and GPs practice with our digital platform for transforming smiles,” said Joe Hogan, Align Technology president and CEO. “exocad allows us to broaden and deepen Align’s digital platform by addressing restorative needs in our end­to­end digital platform that facilitate ortho­ restorative and comprehensive dentistry and accelerates adoption of Invisalign treatment among the more than 300 million potential patients worldwide.”

The acquisition builds on a partnership that began in 2017 when Align’s iTero intraoral scanner were integrated with exocad’s Chairside CAD software.

“I am excited by the enormous growth opportunity for exocad and its customers that comes with being a part of Align Technology,” said Tillmann Steinbrecher, CEO and co­founder of exocad. “Together, we will further strengthen exocad’s position as a key technology provider for the dental CAD/CAM industry and drive continuous innovation with the open and integrated approach that is the foundation of our company.” 

exocad will continue to operate as it exists today, and co-founders Steinbrecher and Mark Gerth, along with the rest of their team, are expected to remain once the transaction closes. The transaction is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2020. For more information, visit aligntech.com.