Back to GetFilings.com



Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-K

 


 

(Mark One)

  x   ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004

 

OR

 

  ¨   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from                          to                         

 

Commission file number: 0-32259

 

ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   94-3267295
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)
 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

881 Martin Avenue

Santa Clara, California 95050

(Address of principal executive offices, including Zip Code)

 

(408) 470-1000

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

None

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

Common Stock, $0.0001 par value

 

Indicate by check mark whether Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes  x    No  ¨

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether Registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934).  Yes  x    No  ¨

 

As of June 30, 2004, the last business day of the Registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, there were 47,825,000 shares of Registrant’s common stock outstanding, and the aggregate market value of such shares held by non-affiliates of Registrant (based upon the closing sale price of such shares on the NASDAQ National Market on June 30, 2004) was approximately $908,675,000. Shares of Registrant’s common stock held by each executive officer and director and by each entity or person that, to the Registrant’s knowledge, owned 5% or more of Registrant’s outstanding common stock as of June 30, 2004 have been excluded in that such persons may be deemed to be affiliates of the Registrant. This determination of affiliate status is not necessarily a conclusive determination for other purposes.

 

On February 28, 2005, 61,401,712 shares of Registrant’s common stock were outstanding.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

Portions of Registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement relating to its 2005 Annual Stockholders’ Meeting to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the Registrant’s fiscal year end of December 31, 2004 are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 



Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.

 

FORM 10-K

 

For the Year Ended December 31, 2004

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page

PART I

   3

Item 1.

  

Business

   3
    

Executive Officers of the Registrant

   15

Item 2.

  

Properties

   16

Item 3.

  

Legal Proceedings

   17

Item 4.

  

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

   19

PART II

   20

Item 5.

  

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

   20

Item 6.

  

Selected Consolidated Financial Data

   20

Item 7.

  

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

   22
    

Risk Factors

   34

Item 7A.

  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

   44

Item 8.

  

Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

   45
    

Report of Management on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

   47
    

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   48

Item 9.

  

Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

   73

Item 9A.

  

Controls and Procedures

   73

Item 9B.

  

Other Information

   73

PART III

   73

Item 10.

  

Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

   73

Item 11.

  

Executive Compensation

   74

Item 12.

  

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

   74

Item 13.

  

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

   75

Item 14.

  

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

   75

PART IV

   76

Item 15.

  

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

   76

Signatures

   82

Certifications

    


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

PART I

 

In addition to historical information, this annual report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements include, among other things, statements concerning our expectations regarding the anticipated benefit of increased collaboration between orthodontists and general practitioner dentists on our revenue growth, our expectation that the percentage of revenue generated by general practitioner dentists in fiscal 2005 will represent a larger percentage of our revenue than revenue generated by orthodontists, our expectations regarding further expansion into North American and international markets, including initiating strategic moves in Asia, specifically in Japan, the number of new doctors we anticipate certifying in 2005, our expectation that sales and marketing and research and development expenses will increase in 2005 as well as other statements regarding our future operations, financial condition and prospects and business strategies. These statements may contain words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” or other words indicating future results. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in the following discussion, and in particular, the risks discussed below under the subheading “Risk Factors” and in other documents we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.

 

ITEM 1.    BUSINESS.

 

Our Company

 

Align Technology, Inc. was incorporated in April 1997 under the laws of the state of Delaware. We design, manufacture and market Invisalign, a proprietary method for treating malocclusion, or the misalignment of teeth. Invisalign corrects malocclusion using a series of clear, nearly invisible, removable appliances that gently move teeth to a desired final position. Because it does not rely on the use of metal or ceramic brackets and wires, Invisalign significantly reduces the aesthetic and other limitations associated with braces. Invisalign is appropriate for treating adults and teens with mature dentition. Align Technology received FDA clearance to market Invisalign in 1998.

 

Under the Corporate Information/Investor Relations section of our corporate website which can be accessed at either www.aligntech.com or www.invisalign.com, we make our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, our proxy statement on Form 14A related to our annual stockholders’ meeting and amendments to such reports available as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. All such filings are available free of charge. The information in, or that can be accessed through, our web site is not part of this report.

 

Industry Background

 

Malocclusion

 

Malocclusion, the misalignment of teeth, is one of the most prevalent clinical dental conditions, affecting over 200 million individuals, or approximately 75% of the U.S. population. Approximately two million people annually elect treatment by orthodontists in the U.S., generating industry revenues of approximately $7 billion. While most individuals seek orthodontic treatment to improve their appearance, malocclusion may also be responsible for dental problems such as tooth decay, tooth loss, gum disease, jaw joint pain and headaches. Because of the compromised aesthetics, discomfort and other drawbacks associated with conventional orthodontic treatments, only a relatively small proportion of people with malocclusion seek traditional treatment.

 

3


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Traditional Orthodontic Treatment

 

Currently, dental professionals apply traditional techniques and principles of orthodontic treatment developed in the early 20th century. In the U.S., dental professionals treat malocclusion primarily with metal archwires and brackets, commonly referred to as braces. Occasionally, dental professionals attempt to improve treatment aesthetics by using ceramic, tooth-colored brackets or bond brackets on the inside, or lingual surfaces, of the patient’s teeth. Dental professionals also augment braces with elastics, metal bands, headgear and other ancillary devices.

 

The average treatment takes approximately 12 to 24 months to complete and requires several hours of direct dental professional involvement, or chair time. To initiate treatment, a dental professional will diagnose a patient’s condition and create an appropriate treatment plan. In a subsequent visit, the dental professional will bond brackets to the patient’s teeth with cement and attach an archwire to the brackets. Thereafter, by tightening or otherwise adjusting the braces approximately every six weeks, the dental professional is able to exert sufficient force on the patient’s teeth to achieve desired tooth movement. Because of the length of time between visits, the dental professional must tighten the braces to a degree sufficient to achieve sustained tooth movement during the interval. In a final visit, the dental professional removes each bracket and residual cement from the patient’s teeth.

 

Fees for traditional orthodontic treatment typically range between US $3,500 to $7,000 with a median fee of approximately $4,800; generally only a portion of the fees are reimbursed by insurance, if covered at all. In addition, dental professionals commonly charge a premium for lingual or ceramic alternatives. Fees are based on the difficulty of the particular case and on the dental professional’s estimate of chair time, and are generally negotiated in advance. A treatment that exceeds the dental professional’s estimate of chair time generally results in decreased fees per hour of chair time, or reduced profitability for the dental professional.

 

Limitations of Traditional Orthodontic Treatment

 

Although braces are generally effective in correcting a wide range of malocclusions, they are subject to many limitations and disadvantages. Conventional orthodontic treatment is associated with:

 

    Unattractive appearance.    Braces call attention to the patient’s condition and treatment. In addition, braces trap food, which can further compromise appearance. Braces can also result in permanent discoloration of teeth. Many adults associate braces with adolescence. As a result of these and other limitations, less than one percent of American adults with malocclusion elect traditional orthodontic treatment annually.

 

    Oral discomfort.    Braces are sharp and bulky and can abrade and irritate the interior surfaces of the mouth. The tightening or adjustment of braces results in root and gum soreness and discomfort, especially in the few days immediately following an orthodontic visit.

 

    Poor oral hygiene.    Braces compromise oral hygiene by making it more difficult to brush and floss. These problems can result in tooth decay and periodontal damage. Additionally, the bonding of brackets to teeth can cause permanent markings on the teeth.

 

    Inability to project treatment.    Historically, dental professionals have not had a means to model the movement of teeth over a course of treatment. Accordingly, dental professionals must rely on intuition and judgment to plan and project treatment. As a result, they cannot be precise about the direction or distance of expected tooth movement between patient visits. This lack of predictability may result in unwanted tooth movements and can limit the dental professional’s ability to estimate the duration of treatment. Because most orthodontic treatment is performed on a fixed price basis, extended treatment duration reduces profitability for the dental professional.

 

    Physical demands on dental professional.    The manipulation of wires and brackets requires sustained manual dexterity and visual acuity, and may place other physical burdens on the dental professional.

 

4


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements
    Root resorption.    The sustained high levels of force associated with conventional treatment can result in root resorption, which is a shortening of tooth roots. This shortening can have substantial adverse periodontal consequences for the patient.

 

    Emergencies.    At times, braces need to be repaired or replaced on an emergency basis. Such emergencies cause significant inconvenience to both the patient and the dental professional.

 

Due to the poor aesthetics, discomfort and other limitations of braces, relatively few people with malocclusion elect traditional orthodontic treatment. Accordingly, we believe there is a large unmet need for an orthodontic system that addresses these patient concerns. We also believe there is an unmet need among dental professionals for a treatment system that increases the predictability and efficiency of treatment and enhances practice profitability.

 

The Align Solution

 

Invisalign is a proprietary system for treating malocclusion. The Invisalign treatment process is comprised of several phases, the principal steps of which are: the creation of electronic treatment plans using ClinCheck and the manufacturing of Aligners. The complete Invisalign treatment process is described in greater detail under “Business—The Invisalign Treatment Process”.

 

ClinCheck.    ClinCheck is an internally developed computer modeling program that allows dental professionals to diagnose and plan treatment for their patients. We use a dental impression and a treatment prescription submitted by a dental professional to develop a customized, three-dimensional treatment plan that simulates appropriate tooth movement in a series of two-week increments. ClinCheck allows the dental professional to view this three-dimensional simulation with a high degree of magnification and from any angle. Accordingly, ClinCheck enables the dental professional to project tooth movement with a level of accuracy not previously possible.

 

Upon review of the ClinCheck simulation, the dental professional may immediately approve the projected treatment, or may provide us with feedback for modification. We reflect any requested adjustments in a modified simulation. Upon the dental professional’s approval of the ClinCheck simulation, we use the data underlying the simulation, in conjunction with stereolithography technology, to manufacture Aligner molds. A third party manufacturer in Mexico uses these molds to fabricate the patient’s Aligners.

 

Aligners.    Aligners are custom-manufactured, thin, clear plastic, removable dental appliances that are manufactured in a series to correspond to each two-week stage of the ClinCheck simulation. Aligners are customized to perform the treatment prescribed for an individual patient by dental professionals using ClinCheck. Each Aligner covers a patient’s teeth and is nearly invisible when worn. Aligners are commonly worn in pairs, over the upper and lower dental arches. Aligners are generally worn for consecutive two-week periods which correspond to the approved ClinCheck treatment simulation. After two weeks of use, the patient replaces them with the next pair in the series. This process is repeated until the final Aligners are used and treatment is complete. Upon completion of the treatment, the dental professional may, at his or her discretion, have the patient use an Invisalign retainer or go directly to a conventional retainer.

 

Benefits of Invisalign

 

We believe that Invisalign provides benefits to dental professionals and patients that have the potential to establish Invisalign as the preferred alternative to conventional braces.

 

Benefits to the dental professional

 

    Ability to visualize treatment and likely outcomes.    ClinCheck enables dental professionals to preview a course of treatment and the likely outcome of treatment in an interactive three-dimensional computer model. ClinCheck allows dental professionals to analyze multiple treatment alternatives before selecting the course of action they feel is most appropriate for the patient.

 

5


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements
    Begin using Invisalign with minimal additional training.    The biomechanical principles that underlie Invisalign are consistent with those of traditional orthodontics. Dental professionals can complete our initial training within two days. Subsequently, we provide additional clinical support and we encourage them to attend continuing education classes, seminars and workshops.

 

    Expanded patient base.    Currently, approximately two million people annually elect treatment by orthodontists in the U.S. These patients represent approximately 1 percent of the population of people with malocclusion. Of these, we estimate approximately 40 percent, or approximately 800,000 patients have mature dentition with mild to moderate malocclusion and are therefore potential candidates for Invisalign. We believe that Invisalign will allow dental professionals to attract patients who would not otherwise seek orthodontic treatment.

 

    Decreased dental professional and staff time.    Invisalign eliminates the need for time-intensive processes such as adjusting archwires during the course of treatment and removing the appliances at the conclusion of treatment. As such, use of Invisalign reduces dental professional and staff chair time and can increase practice throughput.

 

    Practice productivity.    We believe that as dental professionals move to a higher volume of Invisalign patients, the dental professionals will be able to better leverage their existing resources, including office space and staff time, resulting in an increase in daily patient appointments and practice productivity.

 

Benefits to the Patient

 

    Excellent aesthetics.    Aligners are nearly invisible when worn, significantly reducing the aesthetic concerns associated with conventional braces.

 

    Comfort.    By replacing the six-week adjustment cycle of traditional braces with two-week stages, Aligners move teeth more gently than conventional braces. Also, Aligners are thin, smooth and low in profile. As a result, Aligners are substantially more comfortable and less abrasive than conventional braces.

 

    Improved oral hygiene.    Patients can remove Aligners for tasks that are difficult with conventional braces, such as eating, brushing and flossing. We believe this feature has the potential to reduce tooth decay and periodontal damage during treatment, which may result from conventional braces.

 

    Potentially reduced overall treatment time.    Aligners control force by distributing it broadly over the exposed surfaces of the teeth. In addition, the ClinCheck simulation from which Aligners are produced is designed to reduce unintended and unnecessary tooth movements. Together, these factors may reduce overall treatment time relative to conventional braces.

 

    Potentially reduced root resorption.    We believe that controlling force and shortening treatment time has the potential to reduce the incidence of root resorption.

 

    Reduced incidence of emergencies.    Typically, a lost or broken Aligner is simply replaced with the next Aligner in the series, minimizing inconvenience to both patient and dental professional.

 

Limitations of Invisalign

 

In some instances, Invisalign may have certain limitations relative to conventional treatment. Aligners cost more to produce than conventional braces, and we charge dental professionals more than they generally pay for the supplies used in conventional treatment. Depending on the individual pricing policies of each dental professional, the cost of Invisalign to the patient may be greater than for conventional braces. Dental professionals must also incorporate our manufacturing cycle times into their overall treatment plan. Once a dental professional submits a case to us, there is generally a turn-around time of a month or more before the corresponding Aligners are delivered. Aligners may not be appropriate for all cases, such as severe malocclusion, which may require Aligners to be used in combination with conventional braces for optimal results. In addition,

 

6


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

because Aligners are removable, treatment using Invisalign depends on patients wearing their Aligners as recommended. Some patients may experience a temporary period of adjustment to wearing Aligners that may mildly affect speech. In some instances, patients have experienced scratched or irritated gums, cheeks and lips and in some rare instances allergic reactions have occurred. We believe that these limitations are generally outweighed by the many benefits of Invisalign to both patients and dental professionals.

 

Our Target Market and Patient Base

 

Medical devices are classified into one of three classes based on the controls necessary to reasonably assure their safety and effectiveness. Class I or II devices require the manufacturer to submit a pre-market notification to the Food and Drug Administration, or the FDA, requesting permission for commercial distribution, which is known as 510(k) clearance. We obtained our 510(k) clearance in September 1998. Our 510(k) clearance allows us to market Invisalign to treat patients with any type of malocclusion with mature dentition. Individuals with mature dentition have fully erupted second molars and substantially completed jaw growth, which typically occurs between the ages of 11 and 15 years. We do not treat children whose teeth and jaws are still developing, as the effectiveness of Invisalign relies on our ability to accurately predict the movement of teeth over the course of treatment. Based on our clinical studies to date, we recommend that dental professionals use Invisalign as a complete treatment for a broad range of malocclusions and as a component of treatment for severe malocclusions.

 

As noted above, approximately two million people annually elect treatment by orthodontists in the U.S. These patients represent approximately one percent of the population of people with malocclusion. Of these, we estimate 40 percent, or more than 800,000 patients, have mature dentition and are therefore potential candidates for Invisalign.

 

Our market research indicates that the vast majority of people with malocclusion who desire treatment do not elect traditional treatment because of its many limitations. We believe that, since Invisalign addresses the primary limitations of braces, persons with malocclusion will be more likely to seek treatment. We believe that adults, who are particularly sensitive to the aesthetic limitations of traditional treatment, represent our most immediate and significant market expansion opportunity.

 

Commercial sales of Invisalign commenced in the U.S. in July 1999. As of December 31, 2004 approximately 250,000 patients worldwide are either currently in, or have completed, treatment using Invisalign. Internationally, we operate through three business units divided among the geographic regions of Europe, Asia-Pacific and Latin America. In 2004, international sales accounted for 9.9% of our net revenues.

 

In each of fiscal 2004, 2003 and 2002, no single customer accounted for 10% or more of our total revenues.

 

Business Strategy

 

Our objective is to establish Invisalign as the standard method for treating orthodontic malocclusion. Key elements of our strategy include the following:

 

Focus on education and customer support.    In order to build long-term relationships with our customers, we focus on delivering superior training, support and services. Each year, we provide numerous clinical education and training programs, which include certification classes, conference calls, seminars and workshops. By participating in these events, we believe that our customers will emerge with a better understanding of the product and its applicability, and with a greater awareness for starting and finishing Invisalign cases. We also maintain an online clinical education center which is intended to augment our training workshops, conference calls and seminars by enabling Invisalign-trained doctors to obtain continuing education credits and access a full range of case studies and best practices.

 

7


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Educate future orthodontists and general practitioners.    By educating dental students and orthodontic residents on the benefits of the Invisalign technique, we believe they will be more likely to use this technology in their future practices and offer Invisalign as a treatment option. Currently, we have incorporated the Invisalign technique into selected orthodontic and dental undergraduate curriculums. In 2005, we intend to continue the integration of Invisalign into the programs of additional universities and post-graduate institutions.

 

Stimulate demand for Invisalign treatment.    Our market research indicates that the vast majority of people with malocclusion who desire treatment do not elect traditional treatment because of its many limitations. By communicating the benefits of Invisalign to both dental professionals and consumers, we intend to increase the number of patients who seek orthodontic treatment annually. We advertise nationally using a broad marketing mix to drive consumer and dental professional demand and to reinforce the breadth of applicability of Invisalign. In October 2001, we expanded our training of dental professionals in our domestic market to include general practitioner dentists. As of December 31, 2004, we had trained approximately 29,700 dental professionals worldwide on the use and benefits of Invisalign.

 

Improving the collaboration and referral relationships between orthodontists and GPs.    We have two customer channels: the orthodontist and the general practitioner dentist, or GP. We have historically generated a majority of our revenues from orthodontists. There exists, however, a significantly greater number of GPs in North America than orthodontists. As the primary care dental provider, GPs have access to a greater number of patients than orthodontists, and possess a unique opportunity to educate these patients and introduce them to Invisalign. GPs also have the ability to refer appropriate cases to orthodontists and, in certain instances, may choose to treat less complex cases themselves. We are committed to improving the collaboration and referral relationships between orthodontists and GPs. We believe that improved collaboration is beneficial to the orthodontist and the GP and will accelerate growth in Invisalign cases and consequently increase our revenues. In addition, although we expect that orthodontists will continue to treat the majority of complex cases and continue to drive research for expanding Invisalign applications, we expect that the percentage of revenue generated by GPs will increase, largely due to the fact that there are significantly more GPs than orthodontists. In 2005, we expect that GPs will generate a majority of our revenue. We believe this expected increase in the number of cases treated by GPs will result in an increase in the overall market for Invisalign as patients that would not have otherwise sought orthodontic treatment are introduced to Invisalign by GPs. Information regarding risks related to our expectation that orthodontists and GPs will collaborate may be found in Part II, Item 7 of this Report on Form 10-K under the heading “Risk Factors.”

 

Expand and enhance manufacturing capability.    Our manufacturing operations are designed to produce large numbers of custom Aligners at a high level of quality. To improve cost efficiency, we conduct labor intensive processes in relatively low-wage countries. We believe that our existing facilities are adequate to meet current requirements and that additional or substitute space will be available as needed to accommodate any expansion of operations. Our proprietary software underlies our manufacturing process. By continually developing this software and other manufacturing processes, we plan to increase the level of production automation. Increased automation will enhance production capacity and reduce both unit costs and production times.

 

Extend and defend technology leadership.    Invisalign represents a significant technological advancement in orthodontics. Our issued U.S. patents broadly cover the Invisalign® system, including digital modeling and manipulation of scanned patient data, treatment planning, and fabrication of dental appliances, among others. We continue to pursue further intellectual property protection through U.S. and foreign patent applications and non-disclosure agreements. We also seek to protect our software, documentation and other written materials under trade secret and copyright laws. Information regarding risks associated with failure to protect our proprietary technology and our intellectual property rights may be found in Part II, Item 7 of this Report on Form 10-K under the heading “Risk Factors.”

 

8


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Expand utilization within clinician practices.    Invisalign can be used to provide complete treatment for patients with mature dentition over a broad range of malocclusions. In addition, we believe that Invisalign can be incorporated into many treatment plans for severe malocclusion, including severe crowding treated either with or without extraction and treatment requiring orthognathic surgery. We initiated new studies in fiscal 2004 with universities worldwide to further explore these treatments as we continue to make additional improvements to our product.

 

Manufacturing

 

We produce highly customized, highly precise, medical quality products in volume. To do so, we have developed a number of proprietary processes and technologies. These technologies include complex software solutions, computed tomography, known as CT scanning, stereolithography and automated Aligner fabrication.

 

We rely on two vendors who are each the sole source of the polymer and resin used in our manufacturing process. In the event that either of these vendors becomes unable for any reason to supply us with their respective products, we would experience a manufacturing disruption while we qualify and obtain an alternate source.

 

As of December 31, 2004, we employed a manufacturing staff in the U.S. and Costa Rica of approximately 539 people. Manufacturing is coordinated in Santa Clara, California. Digital dental modeling is processed in our 63,000 square foot facility in San Jose, Costa Rica. The operations team in Costa Rica creates ClinCheck treatments using simulation software. We outsource the fabrication and packaging of Aligners to a contract manufacturer based in Juarez, Mexico. Information regarding risks associated with our manufacturing process and foreign operations may be found in Part II, Item 7 of this Report on Form 10-K under the heading “Risk Factors.”

 

The Invisalign Treatment Process

 

The Invisalign treatment process comprises the following five stages:

 

Orthodontic diagnosis and transmission of treatment data to us.    In an initial patient visit, the dental professional determines whether Invisalign is an appropriate treatment. The dental professional then prepares a treatment data package which consists of a polyvinyl-siloxane, or PVS, impression of the relevant dental arches, x-rays of the patient’s dentition, photographs of the patient, a bite impression depicting the relationship between the patient’s upper and lower dental arches and an Invisalign treatment planning form, or prescription. The impression is a critical component of Invisalign as it depicts the three-dimensional geometry of the patient’s teeth and hence forms the basis for our computer models. An impression requires the patient to bite into a viscous material. This material hardens, capturing the shape of the patient’s teeth. The prescription is also a critical component of Invisalign, describing the desired positions and movement of the patient’s teeth. The dental professional sends the treatment data to our Santa Clara facility.

 

Preparation of three-dimensional computer models of the patient’s initial malocclusion.    Upon receipt, we use the treatment data to construct digital models of the patient’s dentition. Using CT scanning, we scan the PVS impression to develop a digital, three-dimensional computer model of the patient’s current dentition. We then transmit this initial computer model together with the dental professional’s prescription and supplemental materials electronically to our facilities in Costa Rica.

 

Preparation of computer-simulated treatment and viewing of treatment using ClinCheck.    In Costa Rica we transform this initial digital model into a customized, three-dimensional treatment plan that simulates appropriate tooth movement in a series of two-week increments. This simulation is then reviewed for adherence to prescribed clinical, treatment and quality standards. Upon passing review, the simulation is then made available to the prescribing dental professional via ClinCheck, which is available on our websites located at www.invisalign.com and www.aligntech.com. The dental professional then reviews the ClinCheck simulation

 

9


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

and determines whether to ask us to make adjustments. By reviewing and amending the treatment simulation, the dental professional retains control over the treatment plan and, thus, participates in the customized design of the Aligners. At this point, the dental professional may also invite the patient to review ClinCheck, allowing the patient to see the projected course of treatment. The dental professional then approves the proposed treatment and, in doing so, engages us for the manufacture of corresponding Aligners.

 

Construction of molds corresponding to each step of treatment.    We use the approved ClinCheck simulation to construct a series of molds of the patient’s teeth. Each mold is a replica of the patient’s teeth at each two-week stage of the simulated course of treatment. These molds are fabricated at our Santa Clara, California manufacturing facility using stereolithography that we have adapted for use in orthodontic applications.

 

Manufacture of Aligners and shipment to the dental professional.    From these molds, our contract manufacturer in Mexico fabricates Aligners by pressure-forming polymeric sheets over each mold. The Aligners are then trimmed, polished, cleaned and packaged. Following final inspection, the Aligners are shipped directly to the prescribing dental professional. We ship all of the Aligners in a single batch. In certain cases, dental professionals may use Invisalign in conjunction with clear attachments bonded to the patient’s teeth. These attachments are used to increase the force applied to a tooth or teeth in circumstances where the Aligners alone may have difficulty in effecting the desired movement. In certain cases, we provide an aligner-like template to the dental professionals to aid the placement of bonding attachments to the patient’s teeth. Also, in cases where interproximal reduction, or IPR, is requested by the dental professional, we provide an IPR prescription form, quantifying the amount of space to be created through enamel reduction, location, and timing of IPR.

 

Throughput Management

 

Because we manufacture each case on a build-to-order basis, we do not build inventories. As a result, we must conservatively build manufacturing throughput for anticipated demand. To increase throughput, we must improve the efficiency and increase the scale of our manufacturing processes.

 

In order to increase the efficiency of our manufacturing processes, we focus our efforts on software development and the improvement of rate-limiting processes, or bottlenecks. We continue to upgrade our proprietary, three-dimensional treatment-planning software to enhance computer analysis of treatment data and to reduce time spent on manual and judgmental tasks for each case, thereby increasing the efficiency of our technicians in Costa Rica. We are also continuing the development of automated systems for the fabrication of Aligners conducted in Mexico. In order to scale our manufacturing capacity, we continue to invest in facilities and capital equipment.

 

Quality Assurance

 

Align’s quality system is in compliance with the Food & Drug Administration’s Medical Device regulations, 21CFR Part 820, and Health Canada’s Medical Device Regulations. We are certified to EN ISO 13485:2003, internationally recognized standards for Medical Device manufacturing and ISO 13485:1996, recognized standards of the Council of Canada. Align has a formal, documented quality system by which quality objectives are defined, understood and achieved. Systems, processes and procedures are implemented to ensure high levels of product and service quality. We monitor the effectiveness of the quality system based on internal data and direct customer feedback and strive to continually improve our systems and processes, taking corrective action, as needed.

 

Since we custom manufacture Aligners on a build-to-order basis, we do not offer refunds on our products. Because each ClinCheck and each Aligner is unique, we inspect 100% of the product at various points in the manufacturing process, to ensure that the product meets our customers’ expectations. Aligners are subject to the Invisalign product warranty, which covers defects in materials and workmanship. Our materials and workmanship warranty is in force until the Invisalign case is completed. In the event the Aligners fall within the

 

10


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

scope of the Invisalign product warranty, we will replace the Aligners at our expense. Our warranty is contingent upon proper use of the Aligners for the purposes for which they are intended. If a patient chooses not to wear the Aligners, and as a result, requests additional Invisalign treatment, the dental professional pays the additional expense of the replacement Aligners.

 

The Invisalign product warranty does not provide any assurances regarding the outcome of treatment using Invisalign. Actual treatment results may deviate significantly from the approved ClinCheck treatment plan. Deviations not covered under warranty have typically been the result of unpredictable biological factors, such as variations in bone density or tooth topography and abnormal jaw growth. Warranty treatment requires that the dental professional submit new impressions of the patient’s dentition to us. We use the impressions to create a new ClinCheck treatment plan for the dental professional to approve, from which a successive series of Aligners will be produced that will allow the patient to finish treatment.

 

In the event that a dental professional wishes to effect additional adjustments to a patient’s treatment when the actual treatment results are in accordance with the approved ClinCheck treatment plan, the dental professional may request a case refinement or additional Aligners. Our pricing policy includes the future delivery of one case refinement in the price of each case and offers additional case refinements at the dental professional’s expense. In addition, should a dental professional request a replacement for a lost Aligner, we charge the dental professional for the cost of the replacement Aligner.

 

Sales and Marketing

 

We market Invisalign by communicating Invisalign’s benefits directly to dental professionals through our training and certification programs and by direct mail campaigns and to consumers with a nationwide advertising campaign. Based on our experience with advertising and commercial sales in our test markets, we believe that making consumers aware of Invisalign as a new treatment alternative generates significant demand for Invisalign. In order to serve anticipated demand, we are training a broad base of dental professionals.

 

Professional Marketing

 

Our sales and support staff has been engaged in marketing Invisalign to orthodontists since July 1999. In 2001, we began marketing Invisalign to general practitioner dentists in our domestic market. We provide training, certification, marketing and clinical support to orthodontists and general practitioner dentists in the U.S. and Canada, which we consider our domestic market, and internationally.

 

As of December 31, 2004, we had trained approximately 29,700 dental professionals worldwide to use Invisalign. Of those dental professionals trained, approximately 70% are dental professionals in our domestic market (United States and Canada). Within our domestic market, we have trained approximately 7,700 orthodontists and approximately 13,800 general practitioner dentists. Our sales and orthodontic teams conduct training primarily in a workshop format. The key topics covered in training include Invisalign applicability, instructions on filling out the Invisalign prescription form, clinical tips and techniques, guidance on pricing and instructions on interacting with our ClinCheck software and the many other features of our website.

 

Invisalign relies on the same orthodontic principles that apply to traditional treatment, and we present our training material in a manner consistent with dental professionals’ training and experience. Our success in training a large number of dental professionals confirms our belief that training represents a minimal barrier to adoption for most dental professionals.

 

After training, sales representatives follow up with the dental professional to ensure that their staff is prepared to handle Invisalign cases. Such follow up may include assisting the dental professional in taking dental impressions, establishing an Internet connection and familiarizing them with our website. Sales representatives may also provide practice-building assistance, including helping the dental professional to market Invisalign to

 

11


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

prospective patients through direct mail or other forms of media. Many dental professionals have commenced promotional activity in their local region with our assistance.

 

There are over 131,000 active general practice dentists in the U.S. and Canada. As the primary care dental provider, GPs have access to a greater number of patients than orthodontists, and possess a unique opportunity to educate these patients and introduce them to Invisalign. GPs also have the ability to refer appropriate cases to orthodontists and, in certain instances, may choose to treat less complex cases themselves. We are committed to improving the collaboration and referral relationships between orthodontists and GPs.

 

Consumer Marketing

 

Our national consumer marketing efforts primarily focus on television advertising and are supported by other advertising media and public relations. We advertise nationally using a broad marketing mix to drive consumer and dental professional demand.

 

Our experience indicates that prospective patients seek information from six primary sources:

 

    an orthodontist;

 

    a general practice dentist;

 

    direct-to-consumer mail advertising and public relations efforts;

 

    other Invisalign patients;

 

    our toll-free support line (1-800-INVISIBLE); and

 

    our website, which can be accessed at either www.invisalign.com or www.aligntech.com.

 

Our marketing efforts have generated substantial consumer interest directed toward our telephone support line and our website. Our telephone support line and our website not only provide consumers with information on Invisalign, but also allow us to channel consumer interest to dental professionals. We have outsourced the telephone support function to a national call center operator.

 

Research and Development

 

Prior to commercial launch in July 1999, our research and development strategy had three primary objectives: developing the Invisalign product, establishing the ability of Invisalign to treat malocclusion and developing software and processes to enable the manufacturing of Aligners in volume. Since our commercial launch, our research and development effort has focused on extending the range of dental applicability of Invisalign, enhancing the software used in the manufacturing process and enhancing our Invisalign system product lines. Our research and development expenses were $15.8 million for fiscal 2004 and $13.1 million for each of fiscal 2003 and 2002.

 

In an effort to demonstrate Invisalign’s broad treatment capabilities, a series of clinical case studies and articles have been published that highlight the applicability of Invisalign to malocclusion cases, including those of severe complexity. We are also undertaking post-marketing studies and making additional technological improvements to the product and manufacturing process. Our product development team is testing enhanced materials and a number of complementary products that we expect will provide additional revenue opportunities.

 

Intellectual Property

 

We believe our intellectual property position represents a substantial business advantage. As of December 31, 2004, we had 56 issued U.S. patents, 82 pending U.S. patent applications, and numerous foreign issued patents, as well as pending foreign patent applications.

 

12


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

We continue to pursue further intellectual property protection through U.S. and foreign patent applications and non-disclosure agreements. We also seek to protect our software, documentation and other written materials under trade secret and copyright laws. We cannot be certain that patents will be issued as a result of any patent application or that patents that have been issued to us or that may be issued in the future will be found to be valid and enforceable and sufficient to protect our technology or products. Information regarding risks associated with failure to protect our proprietary technology and our intellectual property rights may be found in Part II, Item 7 of this Report on Form 10-K under the heading “Risk Factors.”

 

Competition

 

We compete for the attention of dental professionals with manufacturers of traditional orthodontic appliances (or wires and brackets), which include 3M Company, Sybron Dental Specialties and Dentsply International, Inc. We also compete directly with established companies that manufacture and distribute products that are similar in use to Invisalign, including the product called Red, White & Blue manufactured and distributed by Ormco Orthodontics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sybron Dental Specialties. In the future, we may face competition from early stage and more mature companies who enter our target markets to manufacture and distribute products that are similar in use to Invisalign. Information regarding risks associated with increased competition may be found in Part II, Item 7 of this Report on Form 10-K under the heading “Risk Factors.”

 

We believe that in addition to price, the principal competitive factors in the market for orthodontic appliances include the following factors:

 

    aesthetic appeal of the treatment method;

 

    comfort associated with the treatment method;

 

    oral hygiene;

 

    effectiveness of treatment;

 

    ease of use; and

 

    dental professionals’ chair time.

 

We believe that Invisalign compares favorably with our competitors’ products with respect to each of these factors.

 

Government Regulation

 

FDA’s Quality System Regulation for Medical Devices.    The Invisalign Aligners are regulated as a Class I medical device by the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”). Accordingly, our product development, manufacturing processes, packaging, labeling, handling, storage and distribution activities are subject to extensive regulations enforced by both state and federal regulatory authorities.

 

The Aligners are manufactured by The TECMA Group, LLC, a contract manufacturer based in Mexico. As a medical device company, we are required to ensure that our contract manufacturer complies with the FDA’s Quality System regulations. As a result, we have ensured that TECMA is registered with the FDA as a medical device manufacturer and its manufacturing processes comply with regulatory requirements. In addition, TECMA is certified to ISO 9000 standards and is subject to inspection by an independent ISO agency. TECMA has dedicated an area in its facilities and trained personnel for the manufacture and distribution of Invisalign. We conduct frequent visits to the Mexico facility to monitor TECMA’s performance and its compliance with regulatory requirements and we also perform independent audits of their quality system.

 

In November 1998, we received 510(k) pre-market clearance by the FDA for the Invisalign system, allowing us to market Invisalign in the U.S. The manufacture and distribution of Invisalign are subject to continuing oversight by the FDA, including routine inspections to determine compliance with Quality System

 

13


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

regulations. Our facility is registered with the State of California as a medical device manufacturer and is subject to state inspections.

 

During inspections of our facility and those of our contract manufacturer, if the FDA determines that we or our contract manufacturer have failed to comply with the applicable FDA regulations, it can institute a wide variety of enforcement actions, ranging from a public Warning Letter to more severe sanctions, including but not limited to financial penalties, withdrawal of our right to market products and criminal prosecution.

 

Health Canada’s Medical Device Regulations.    We sell the Invisalign system throughout Canada. As such, we are required to comply with the Health Canada’s Medical Device Regulations and we believe we are in compliance with their regulations.

 

European Union’s MDD Requirements & ISO 13485.    In Europe, the Invisalign system is regulated as a custom device and as such, we follow the Medical Device Directives and are registered with an applicable Competent Authority in Europe. Our facilities are ISO 13485 certified, which facilitates commercialization of Invisalign in Europe and other countries outside of the United States.

 

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.    Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, or HIPAA, Congress mandated a package of interlocking administrative simplification rules to establish standards and requirements for electronic transmission of health information. Confidentiality of patient records and the circumstances under which these records may be maintained and released are subject to substantial regulations under the HIPAA Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information, referred to as the Privacy Standard, and other state laws and regulations. The Privacy Standard governs both the disclosure and the use of confidential patient medical information. Although compliance is principally the responsibility of the hospital, physician or other healthcare provider the law requires that we execute Business Associate Agreements with orthodontists and other healthcare professionals and comply with the Privacy Standard when we handle patient information and records. We have designed our service offerings to enable compliance with HIPAA and applicable corresponding state laws and regulations. Compliance with these laws and regulations is costly. Our success may be dependent on the success of healthcare participants in dealing with HIPAA requirements and the Privacy Standard. Additionally, the HIPAA Security Standard, which goes into effect in April 2005, requires that we implement safeguards that reasonably and appropriately protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the electronic protected health information that we create, receive, maintain or transmit pursuant to our Business Associate Agreements with health care professionals. Compliance with the Security Standard could require complex changes in our internal systems and could be costly.

 

Other Federal and State Laws.    As a participant in the health care industry we are subject to extensive and frequently changing regulation under many other laws administered by governmental entities at the federal, state and local levels, some of which are, and others of which may be, applicable to our business. Furthermore, our health care service provider customers are also subject to a wide variety of laws and regulations that could affect the nature and scope of their relationships with us.

 

Laws regulating medical device manufacturers and health care providers cover a broad array of subjects. For example, the confidentiality of patient medical information and the circumstances under which such information may be released for inclusion in our databases, or released by us to third parties, are subject to substantial regulation by state governments. These state laws and regulations govern both the disclosure and the use of confidential patient medical information and are evolving rapidly. In addition, provisions of the Social Security Act prohibit, among other things, paying or offering to pay any remuneration in exchange for the referral of patients to a person participating in, or for the order, purchase or recommendation of items or services that are subject to reimbursement by, Medicare, Medicaid and other similar federal or state health care payment programs. Most states have also enacted illegal remuneration laws that are similar to the federal laws. These laws are applicable to our financial relationships with, and any marketing or other promotional activities involving,

 

14


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

our dental professional customers. Finally, various states regulate the operation of an advertising and referral service for dentists, and may require registration of such services with a state agency as well as compliance with various requirements and restrictions on how they conduct business and structure their relationships with participating dentists. Violations of any of these laws or regulations could subject us to a variety of civil and criminal sanctions.

 

Employees

 

As of December 31, 2004, we had approximately 969 employees, approximately 413 of whom were employed in the U.S., 461 in Costa Rica, 52 in Europe, 22 in Russia, 9 in Latin America, 11 in Asia/Pacific and 1 in the United Arab Emirates. As of December 31, 2004, of our U.S. employees, approximately 89 were employed in manufacturing, 93 were employed in various management, administrative and operations support positions, 74 were marketing and customer support staff, 98 were employed in sales, 33 were employed in engineering and 26 were employed in research and development.

 

Executive Officers

 

The following table sets forth certain information regarding our executive officers as of March 3, 2005:

 

Name


   Age

  

Position


Thomas M. Prescott

   49    President and Chief Executive Officer

Eldon M. Bullington

   53    Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer

Roger E. George

   39   

Vice President, Legal and Corporate Affairs

General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

Len M. Hedge

   47    Vice President, Operations

David S. Thrower

   40    Vice President, Global Marketing

Patricia L. Wadors

   40    Vice President, Human Resources

Cecilia Claudio

   50    Vice President, Engineering and Chief Information Officer

Robert D. Mitchell

   43    Vice President, World Wide Sales and Customer Care

Rok Sribar

   40    Vice President, Research & Development

 

Thomas M. Prescott has served as our President and Chief Executive Officer and as a member of our Board of Directors since March 27, 2002. Prior to joining us, Mr. Prescott was President and Chief Executive Officer of Cardiac Pathways, Inc., a publicly-traded medical device company, from May 1999 until its acquisition by Boston Scientific in August 2001. Mr. Prescott then worked as a consultant for Boston Scientific Corporation until January 2002. Prior to working at Cardiac Pathways, M