Align Technology (Nasdaq:ALGN) announced that it completed the acquisition of 3D printing company Cubicure.
Cubicure offers 3D printing solutions for polymer additive manufacturing. It develops, produces and distributes innovative materials, equipment and processes for novel 3D printing solutions.
Tempe, Arizona-based Align plans for the acquisition to support and scale its strategic innovation roadmap and strengthen its Align Digital Platform. It also extends and scales Align’s printing, materials and manufacturing capabilities for its 3D-printed product portfolio. That portfolio includes the recently FDA-cleared Palatal Expander system.
Cubicure offers patented hot lithography that uses a special heating and coating mechanism. It enables the processing of highly viscous resins to produce tough, temperature-resistant polymers. Srini Kaza, Align SVP for product R&D, said in a news release that the company has worked with Cubicure “for years.” Kaza said the company aims to position itself at the forefront of the next wave of 3D printing additive manufacturing.
Align closed the deal on Jan. 2 for approximately $86.5 million (€79 million) at closing.
“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,” said Joe Hogan, Align Technology president and CEO. “Direct 3D printing enables Align to create 3D printed solutions without the added step of first creating a mold, 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 program.”