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ROTKREUZ, Switzerland - Align Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:ALGN), a prominent medical device company currently valued at $12.1 billion, has announced the launch of Align X-ray Insights in the European Union and the United Kingdom. This new software tool uses artificial intelligence to automatically analyze 2D dental radiographs, aiming to enhance diagnostic accuracy and patient care. The company, which maintains a strong gross profit margin of 70% and operates with minimal debt, appears undervalued according to InvestingPro analysis.
The Align X-ray Insights software is a part of the Align Digital Platform, designed to assist doctors in diagnosing oral health conditions, standardizing analysis, and streamlining workflows. A survey among early users indicated that 95% found it helpful in communicating oral health conditions to patients, and 91% reported an improvement in patient trust and treatment acceptance when the software was used. Want deeper insights? InvestingPro subscribers have access to exclusive analysis and 10 additional ProTips about ALGN’s market position and growth potential.
Align X-ray Insights offers features such as detailed reports, automatic tooth charting, and color overlays to identify dental abnormalities. It is capable of detecting caries, periapical radiolucencies, periodontal bone loss, and other conditions. The software complements Align’s Oral Health Suite, which provides a digital framework for oral health discussions.
Simon Beard, executive vice president and managing director of Align Technology for the EMEA region, emphasized the importance of integrating AI into radiographic analysis to provide doctors with more precise diagnostic capabilities. Professor Falk Schwendicke from the University of Munich also highlighted the benefits of Align X-ray Insights in improving diagnostics and patient communication.
Align Technology, which acquired dentalXrai GmbH in 2022, has integrated its flagship product into the Align Digital Platform. The cloud-based software will be generally available in the EU and UK starting March 25, 2025, and will be showcased at the IDS Dental Show in Cologne, Germany, from March 25-29, 2025. An integration with iTero intraoral scanners is in progress and will soon undergo a limited market release.
Align X-ray Insights has received regulatory clearance in Europe, the UK, Canada, and New Zealand, with plans to expand to other countries pending approvals such as 510K clearance in the USA. Doctors interested in the new software can take advantage of a 60-day free trial as part of the launch offer.
The information for this article is based on a press release statement from Align Technology, Inc. Despite recent market volatility, analysts maintain a positive outlook, with a consensus recommendation of 1.89 (Buy), though 9 analysts have recently revised their earnings expectations downward. The company’s next earnings report is scheduled for April 30, 2025. Discover more detailed financial analysis and expert insights through InvestingPro’s comprehensive research reports, available for over 1,400 US stocks.
In other recent news, Align Technology reported its fourth-quarter earnings, which narrowly missed analyst expectations. The company posted adjusted earnings per share of $2.44, slightly below the consensus estimate of $2.46, and revenue of $995.2 million, which was short of the anticipated $1 billion. Align Technology also provided guidance for the first quarter, forecasting revenue between $965 million to $985 million, below Wall Street’s projection of $1.03 billion. Despite these challenges, the company noted a 6.1% year-over-year increase in Clear Aligner shipments to 628,730 cases. For the full year 2024, Align reported revenue of $4.0 billion, a 3.5% increase from 2023, with a similar rise in Clear Aligner case shipments.
In other developments, Wells Fargo initiated coverage of Align Technology with an Overweight rating and a price target of $255.00, citing its strong market position and brand recognition. Piper Sandler adjusted its price target for the company from $275.00 to $270.00, maintaining an Overweight rating, following the company’s earnings report. The firm highlighted Align Technology’s realistic guidance amid a sluggish macroeconomic environment and noted potential growth in select international markets. Additionally, Align Technology announced plans to complete its $1 billion stock repurchase program by purchasing $225 million of its common stock in the open market, signaling a strong financial position.
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