ZURICH, Switzerland, Oct. 4, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- The Albert-Ludwigs-University in Freiburg and Nobel Biocare, (Other OTC:NBCHF) the world leader in innovative esthetic dental solutions, today signed an agreement on a strategic partnership for education and research in the area of restorative dentistry. With this collaboration, for the first time in Germany, dental implantology will be incorporated into dental studies already on the undergraduate level. The agreement between the University of Freiburg and Nobel Biocare has model character for collaboration between industry and education and research. After collaborations in North America, China and Australia, this is the first of this kind in Europe for Nobel Biocare.
"Our collaboration with the Albert-Ludwigs-University is a further key step in the determined execution of our strategy of supporting universities throughout the world in integrating implantology and esthetic dentistry already on the undergraduate level and thus offering students the best possible education and ultimately patients the most advanced treatment possibilities," said Heliane Canepa, President and CEO of Nobel Biocare, while signing the agreement in Freiburg. In the context of this strategy, Nobel Biocare has signed similar strategic collaborations in recent months with major universities in North America, China and Australia.
"With Nobel Biocare, we have gained the world's leading company in the field of innovative esthetic dental solutions as a partner. We are looking forward to benefiting from the company's broad range of experience in the development and production of dental implants and IT-supported industrial production of prosthetics," said Prof. Dr. Christoph Peters, Dean of the Medical Faculty.
Over the next five years, Nobel Biocare will be providing the Medical Faculty of the Freiburg University with funds and services worth a total five million euros. By means of developing and implementing innovative teaching concepts in implantology and prosthetics at the Medical Faculty and its Clinic for Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, the funds will flow into undergraduate training as well as continuing education programs.
In addition, Nobel Biocare will be supporting the research activities of the Medical Faculty in the field of restorative dentistry. "Our university will be profiting from additional funds and practical know-how from the industrial leader, without giving up the responsibility for education and research -- the best possible combination for the patients' well-being," claimed Prof. Dr. Elmar Hellwig, Managing Director of the Clinic for Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery.
"As the pioneer and trendsetter in our industry, we are very pleased that Nobel Biocare will be the first company in Germany to have gained not only a faculty but also an entire university as strategic partner," Heliane Canepa continued.
Within the framework of the strategic partnership, one of the buildings of the Clinic for Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery will be named after Nobel Biocare.
Nobel Biocare is a medical devices group and the world leader in innovative esthetic dental solutions with its brands Branemark System(r), NobelSpeedy(tm), NobelReplace(tm), NobelPerfect(r), NobelDirect(r), Replace(r) Select, (dental implants) and Procera(r) (individualized dental prosthetics). Nobel Biocare is a one-stop shop for restorative esthetic dentistry, offering a wide range of innovative crown & bridge & implant products, as well as training and education and clinically documented treatment concepts. Nobel Biocare has around 1,900 employees and recorded revenue of EUR 485 million in 2005. The Company is domiciled in Zurich, Switzerland, with headquarters in Zurich and in Gothenburg, Sweden. Production takes place at four production sites located in Sweden and the U.S.A. Nobel Biocare has direct sales organizations in 34 countries. The shares of the parent company Nobel Biocare Holding AG are listed on the SWX Swiss Exchange and on the Stockholm Stock Exchange, Sweden.
Training and education of dental professionals continues to be a key strategy of Nobel Biocare. To meet the growing patient demands, the change of current undergraduate education programs and the integration of dental implant therapy and esthetic dentistry is an important factor.
The Medical Faculty of the Albert-Ludwigs-University has been active for many years in educating students and dentists as well as in researching into the field of restorative dentistry -- dental implantology prosthetics, prosthodontics and paradontology. With the University Hospital, it has a School of Dentistry for Dental, Oral and Maxillofacial Studies and is legally and scientifically able to ensure the education of students and dentists in the field of restorative dentistry as well as carry out research projects.