Tag: Health

Invisalign® Palatal Expander System by Align Technology Now Available in Malaysia for Skeletal and Dental Expansion in Growing Patients

by jezzabellemente, posted in Uncategorized
Photo: Patient independently inserting Invisalign® Palatal Expander.

· Invisalign® Palatal Expanders offer doctors an effective and easily removeable alternative to traditional palatal expanders, without the need for metal and screws.
· Combined with Invisalign First™ aligners, Invisalign Palatal Expanders provide doctors with a full early intervention treatment solution, including both skeletal (orthopedic) and dental (orthodontic) arch expansion.

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, July 23 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) — Align Technology, Inc. (“Align”) (Nasdaq: ALGN) a leading global medical device company that designs, manufactures, and sells the Invisalign® System of clear aligners, iTero™ intraoral scanners, and exocad™ CAD/CAM software for digital orthodontics and restorative dentistry, today announced that Align’s Invisalign Palatal Expander System* has been notified as Class B medical device by Malaysia Medical Device Authority and is now commercially available in Malaysia for broad patient applicability, including growing children, teens and adults (with surgery or other techniques).

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: 
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250722815570/en/

The Invisalign Palatal Expander System* is a modern and innovative direct 3D printed device based on proprietary and patented technology. Invisalign Palatal Expanders are intended for use in rapid expansion and subsequent holding of skeletal and/or dental narrow maxilla (upper jaw) with primary, mixed, or permanent dentition during treatment of patients.

“The Invisalign Palatal Expander System* exemplifies our commitment to advancing digital orthodontics with innovative solutions that enhance patient treatment experiences,” said David Carr, Align Technology executive vice president and managing director, Asia Pacific. “We are excited to extend the availability of the transformative Invisalign Palatal Expander system, Align’s first direct 3D printed orthodontic appliance, to even more doctors and their patients markets across the Asia Pacific region.”

The Invisalign Palatal Expander System* consists of a series of removable devices staged in small increments of movement to expand a patient’s narrow maxilla to a position determined by their treating doctor. Each direct 3D printed device is customized to the patient’s unique anatomy based on an iTero™ intraoral digital scan. A palatal expansion treatment plan and device design are then developed using Align’s proprietary AI-driven orthodontic software.

Combined with Invisalign First™ aligners, Invisalign Palatal Expanders provide doctors with a full early intervention treatment solution for Phase 1 treatment, an early interceptive orthodontic treatment for young patients. Phase 1 treatment is traditionally done through arch expanders or partial metal braces, before all permanent teeth have erupted – typically at ages 6 through 10. Invisalign First clear aligners are designed specifically to address a broad range of younger patients’ malocclusions, including shorter clinical crowns, management of erupting dentition, and predictable dental arch expansion.

“Phase 1 or early interceptive treatment accounts for 20 percent of orthodontic case starts each year and is growing,” said Dr. Mitra Derakhshan, Align Technology executive vice president, chief clinical officer, global treatment planning and clinical services. “Together with Invisalign First aligners, Invisalign Palatal Expanders provide doctors with a solution set to treat the most common skeletal and dental malocclusions in growing children. The addition of mandibular advancement features to Invisalign aligners also provides doctors with more options for treating skeletal and dental jaw imbalances and bite correction for their growing patients during their teenage years.”

The Invisalign Palatal Expander System* is available in Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam, Japan, Thailand, India and Malaysia.

* Children shall not use device without supervision.

About Align Technology, Inc.

Align Technology designs and manufactures the Invisalign® System, iTero™ intraoral scanners and services, and exocad™ CAD/CAM software. These technology building blocks enable enhanced digital orthodontic and restorative workflows to improve patient outcomes and practice efficiencies for over 281.4 thousand doctor customers and is key to accessing Align’s 600 million consumer market opportunity worldwide. Over the past 28 years, Align has helped doctors treat approximately 20.1 million patients with the Invisalign System and is driving the evolution in digital dentistry through the Align Digital Platform™, our integrated suite of unique, proprietary technologies and services delivered as a seamless, end-to-end solution for patients and consumers, orthodontists and GP dentists, and lab/partners. Visit www.aligntech.com for more information.

For additional information about the Invisalign System or to find an Invisalign doctor in your area, please visit www.invisalign.com.my For additional information about the iTero digital scanning system, please visit www.itero.com/en-APAC. For additional information about exocad dental CAD/CAM offerings and a list of exocad reseller partners, please visit www.exocad.com.

Invisalign, iTero, exocad, Align, and Align Digital Platform are trademarks of Align Technology, Inc.

About the Invisalign Palatal Expander System

The Invisalign Palatal Expander System is a modern, innovative direct 3D printed orthodontic appliance designed based on proprietary and patented technology. The Invisalign Palatal Expander System is intended for the orthodontic treatment of malocclusion. The system is used for the rapid expansion and subsequent holding of skeletal and/or dental narrow maxilla (upper jaw, dental arch and teeth, palate) with primary, mixed, or permanent dentition during orthopedic treatment in children or adolescents. In adults, it is to be used in conjunction with surgery or other interventions when necessary. Devices are 3D printed and are manufactured based on digital scan data from commercially available iTero™ intraoral scanners offered by Align Technology, Ltd. The devices are removable for proper oral hygiene; manufactured to custom fit each patient’s anatomy for optimal comfort and aesthetics, expanders fit comfortably in the patient’s mouth and are changed daily (no screw required).

The System is comprised of Invisalign Palatal Expanders (active expansion, each stage comes with a programmed expansion of up to 0.25mm/stage, changed daily or as per doctor’s discretion) and Invisalign Palatal Holders (copies of the last stage ​of the expansion phase designed to hold the maxilla post-active expansion and changed every 2-4 weeks as directed by the treating doctor), Invisalign Attachment Templates and proprietary 3D shape generation software. These products are not available for purchase by the general public. However, the products are available for purchase from Invisalign® trained dentists and orthodontists.

View source version on businesswire.com: 
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250722815570/en/

Contact

Align Technology
Madelyn Valente
(909) 833-5839
mvalente@aligntech.com

Zeno Group
Sarah Johnson
(828) 551-4201
sarah.johnson@zenogroup.com

Source : Align Technology, Inc.

–BERNAMA

Spring Bio Solution Launches NCE Grid to decode Para IV Filing and First-to-File Opportunities

by jezzabellemente, posted in Uncategorized

SOMERSET, N.J., June 12 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Spring Bio Solution, a global leader in the comparator sourcing and clinical trial supplies, has launched NCE Grid, the world’s first free NCE-1 intelligence platform – built to decode, centralize, and visualize Para IV and NCE-1 opportunities in real-time.

Until now, tracking NCE exclusivity expirations and Paragraph IV filings has been a fragmented, manual, and cumbersome process, lacking a centralized solution. Regulatory updates are scattered across various portals, intelligence is buried in siloed databases, and timelines are tracked using spreadsheets. The result? Competitive blind spots, misaligned R&D, and a race already lost before it begins.

For generic pharmaceutical companies aiming to be the “first to file,” intelligence gaps, scattered data, and missed timelines can result in lost exclusivity and millions in revenue.

NCE Grid changes that.

NCE Grid is the world’s first free tool to integrate every critical data point, including molecule, innovator name, NCE-1 date, revenue, therapeutic usage, expected sales growth, and CAGR% into one intuitive platform. With real-time visualizations and actionable insights, NCE Grid empowers strategy, regulatory, and portfolio teams to identify, prioritize, and act on first-to-file opportunities with clarity and speed.

“We created NCE Grid because we saw too many companies struggle with fragmented insights and missed opportunities,” said Salim Shaikh, Founder and CEO of Spring Bio Solution. “In a race where timing is everything, our platform brings clarity, speed, and a competitive edge to decision-makers. When you think Para IV, think NCE Grid — Your trusted guide for strategic drug development.” 

To learn more, visithttps://ncegrid.springbiosolution.com/

About Spring Bio Solution

Spring Bio Solution partners with CROs, pharmaceutical companies, and research institutions worldwide, offering reliable solutions for comparator sourcing and clinical trial supplies. With offices and WDL (wholesale Drug Distribution License) facilities across the USA, EU, Singapore, and India, and a robust network of 400+ distribution partners and 30+ innovators, Spring Bio Solution ensures timely and compliant access to critical drug supplies.

Trusted by over 600 clients and maintaining a 99.9% success rate for sourcing comparator drugs/ RLDs/ innovator samples, the company offers industry-leading cold chain capabilities, ranging from -60°C to ambient temperatures. Through its partnership with LSPedia, Spring Bio Solution also ensures full DSCSA compliance and end-to-end traceability.

With experience supporting over 1,000 clinical trials and more than 12,000 bioequivalence studies, Spring Bio Solution empowers sponsors to de-risk operations and accelerate drug development with confidence.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Navdeep Trivedi
Vice President & Head, Digital Marketing
Spring Bio Solution
navdeep.trivedi@springbiosolution.com

SOURCE: Spring Bio Solution PTE.LTD

MULTIMEDIA UPDATE — Game, Set, Match: JOE & THE JUICE Welcomes Novak Djokovic to the Family

by jezzabellemente, posted in Uncategorized

Global lifestyle brand JOE & THE JUICE and tennis GOAT Novak Djokovic are joining forces to redefine functional health, one sip at a time

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, June 5 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, JOE & THE JUICE, the global concept known for its electric vibes, killer tunes, and seriously great sips, is proud to announce a strategic partnership with tennis legend (currently breaking records on court) and Olympic gold medalist, Novak Djokovic. More than just a collaboration, Djokovic is stepping onto the court as a Health & Wellness Ambassador and a shareholder, ready to lend his champion mindset to the brand. 

“I’m proud to announce my new role as a Health & Wellness Ambassador for Joe & The Juice,” says Novak Djokovic. “Throughout my career, physical and mental wellness have been the foundation of my performance on and off the court. From training and recovery to nutrition and mindset, I’ve learned that what you put into your body directly impacts how far you can push it.

Joe & The Juice shares that same commitment to clean ingredients, energy, and balance. I’ve long admired their fresh, functional approach to fuelling the body and mind – whether it’s a pre-match juice or a mid-day reset. Together, we’ll be working on bringing purposeful wellness to more people around the world.”

As an all-time record holder with 24-Grand Slam singles titles, remaining as world no.1 for a record 428 weeks, Djokovic knows what it takes to fuel the body and mind for success. These values resonate deeply with what JOE & THE JUICE stands for. Djokovic’s unapologetic approach to living well aligns intrinsically with JOE’s core values. 

“We believe in making better-for-you options accessible and inspiring a balanced and vibrant way of living,” says Thomas Nørøxe, CEO of JOE & THE JUICE. “Bringing Novak into the JOE family means enhancing that philosophy and reaching even more people. He’s a global icon who embodies well-being and authenticity – values central to who we are. This partnership is about growing together and continuing to empower people to elevate their lifestyle. And trust me, we’re just getting started.” 

As this long-term partnership unfolds, Djokovic will be an active participant within the JOE & THE JUICE world, contributing to brand campaigns, offering valuable input for product development, and sharing his unique perspective on wellness and performance.  

And for those who know, you know that JOE & THE JUICE has always been about pushing boundaries. With Novak Djokovic’s support, we’re planting roots deeper, specifically through his involvement in developing the JOE & THE JUICE franchise in Serbia and Montenegro. This is about bringing the unique JOE experience to more people than ever before, starting in a region close to Novak’s heart. 

With a presence across 400+ locations worldwide, JOE & THE JUICE continues to expand its footprint as the primary health-centric lifestyle destination.  

Keep an eye on our channels for the first powerful activation, dropping later this year. The blend just got stronger.

Related link:Novak Djokovic x Joe & the Juice, Instagram Announcement

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at 
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7173bc3a-3cdf-4973-aa2a-614878390dbf

Press contact Sabine Fabrin
E-mail: sabine.fabrin@joejuice.com

SOURCE: Joe & The Juice A/S

–BERNAMA

TIME FOR ASSURERS TO ACT FOR THE BENEFIT OF POLICY OWNERS

by jezzabellemente, posted in Uncategorized

KUALA LUMPUR, March 24 (Bernama) —

Introduction
Despite calls to engage insurers privately and not moot their points through media, APHM continues airing its concerns publicly. The general public couldn’t care less about this issue. These are private matters between APHM and Insurers. As mentioned in the same article, the relationship between private hospitals and insurers is best described as symbiotic. APHM must find solutions that flourish this relationship rather than be parasitic.  

APHM proposes the formation of a joint working committee between the association and Assurers to review billing structures and ensure fair pricing of healthcare services. It is a good start, but it needs to focus its energy on the core matter, the burdening hospital charges that cause assurers to increase their prices. The billing structure and so-called fair pricing don’t solve the current problems. It is more of an academic exercise. 

APHM’s public statements call for assurers to keep cashless medical products while using patient care as a smoke screen. It is a ruse to maintain its top and bottom line, and its sincerity can be seen when it issued a statement rejecting Assurer’s proposal for private hospitals to freeze costs for three years and also for the Health Ministry to regulate the pricing of pharmaceuticals or medication during the period assurers facing premium pricing caps. 
Public Education
Since APHM is only interested in making public statements to try to arouse policyholders’ sentiments to protect their cash flow and profit margins, it is time for assurers to take steps to protect policy owners’ interests. The public is concerned about rising health premiums. They don’t understand the reasons behind it.   

Therefore, assurers need to expand their role in public education on how assurers develop their product prices. Most of the cost goes toward paying claims, distribution costs, and maintaining statutory reserves. Assurers must demonstrate how much premium is allocated to companies as their pretax profits for every ringgit of premium received. 

Public education goes a long way and will make the public understand the financial burden caused by APHM members.

Cheaper, Scalable & Customized Direct Products
Policy owners deserve access to cheaper health assurance products. Insurers can consider two critical modifiable parameters: direct distribution without going through agents and selling the product on a reimbursement basis. Distribution through agents is costly. Technology today allows companies to educate customers on product features with ease. Product distribution has greater depth today.  

Assurers can develop tier products that cover the treatment of medical risks for specific age groups. The young have a lesser risk of admission due to chronic illnesses. The sum cover can be lowered since the cost of treatment for acute illnesses and injuries is low. Employees can buy a small sum for the employed category to cover health top-up products, where the primary claim should be against the employer’s paid assurance. The top-up is used only when the primary product limits are exhausted. 

The second strategy would be reintroducing reimbursement-based products. It has dual key advantages. First, the policy owners are responsible for controlling hospital bill expenses. Coupled with BNM directives of Co-payment, policy owners would question their hospital charges. Introducing Co-pay reimbursement products is within the assurer’s rights. We cannot blame APHMs for making public statements and calling for assurers to keep cashless medical products as they know it significantly impacts their earnings. 

The third strategy is for assurers to revisit and expand the strategy they introduced in early 2000, where they formed a consortium that markets national health assurance products instead of individual company products. An industry-wide product allows the consolidation of claim data to determine the true industry burning costs. More importantly, consolidating policy owners’ data enables the industry to spread costs and introduce cheaper products. Individual assurance companies only need to focus on distribution and customer service. The focus would be on customer service. This approach would be the seed of the National Health Assurance under the assurance industry-driven National Healthcare Financing System. 

Under this approach, the competition among the assurance companies is no longer on pricing. The law of large numbers dictates and has an impact on price. However, if private hospitals continue to have the unchecked freedom to determine the charges, the proposed measures will only temporarily reprieve policy owners.   

Conclusion
In the best interest of policy owners & to protect them against increasing premiums, re-introducing reimbursement health products would be the best approach. Policy owners themselves must take the role of questioning hospital charges, which directly impacts health assurance premiums. 

Assurers must develop products that limit the benefit payment according to age, gender, pre-existing conditions and risk exposure. A young person who enjoys employer insurance coverage does not need an RM1000,000 sum of cover. Having high annual and lifetime limits promotes “medical inflation”. 

Assurers must get their act together as an industry, focus on their policy owners, ignore APHM public statements and develop a structured public education program explaining how assurers’ price their products.

21-3-2025  

Dr Mohamed Rafick Khan 
Reassurer and Assurance Industry Consultant

Dr. Mohamed Rafick is a trained physician with 12 years of experience in military medical services and over 22 years of experience in the assurance industry. He retired as the CEO of a multinational reinsurance company in 2019. Currently, he remains active as an independent international assurance industry consultant.

SOURCE: Dr Mohamed Rafick Khan 
Reassurer and Assurance Industry Consultant

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: Dr Rafick 
Tel: 012 2218956
Email: drrafick@gmail.com

–BERNAMA

MERZ AESTHETICS REVEALS GLOBAL DATA ON THE CONNECTION BETWEEN CONFIDENCE, SELF-AFFIRMATION AND AESTHETIC TREATMENTS

by jezzabellemente, posted in Uncategorized

Graphic: Merz Aesthetics

New Research Suggests that People Seek Aesthetic Treatments to Align Inner Self with Outward Appearance

RALEIGH, N.C., Jan 31 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) — Merz Aesthetics, the world’s largest dedicated medical aesthetics business, today announced the findings of its inaugural global study, Pillars of Confidence: Global Insights on Aesthetics and Self-Affirmation. The study explored the role confidence plays in daily life and overall well-being, as well as the connection between our internal selves and outward expression.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250129954824/en/

As part of its Confidence to Be platform, Merz Aesthetics surveyed 15,000 adults from around the world who have had an aesthetic treatment in the past or are open to having one in the near future. The Pillars of Confidence study revealed that a global majority of study participants have a strong sense of self-confidence, with 72% agreeing with the statement, “I am confident in who I am.”

The findings of the Pillars of Confidence study also link external appearance to internal self-concept. When it comes to aesthetic treatments specifically, 73% of respondents reported saying they feel “empowered” after having an aesthetic treatment, 69% seek aesthetic treatments to reflect how they feel inside and 72% said that aesthetic treatments impact how they view themselves.

Conducted in partnership with Ipsos*, one of the largest market research and polling companies globally, the Pillars of Confidence study engaged 15,000 adults aged 21 to 75** from 15 countries. Participating regions and countries included:

  • Asia-Pacific: China, South Korea, Thailand
  • Europe, the Middle East & Africa: France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates
  • Latin America: Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico
  • North America: United States, Canada

“Since becoming a standalone global business nearly five years ago, Merz Aesthetics has been committed to our purpose of fueling confidence by helping people look better, feel better and live better. We believe in the importance of feeling confident and what makes you feel like the best version of yourself—however you define it,” said Bob Rhatigan, CEO, Merz Aesthetics. “Our Pillars of Confidence research shows what we anecdotally knew to be true—that aesthetic treatments appear to do more than just enhance our appearance; they can help people feel empowered and support their self-confidence journey.”

“The Pillars of Confidence data shows how aesthetic treatments enable patients to take an active role in aligning their self-perception with their outward appearance,” said Dr. Shannon Humphrey, cosmetic dermatologist, medical director at Humphrey & Beleznay Cosmetic Dermatology and clinical associate professor at the University of British Columbia. “As a physician, I see this impact every day. These insights can help us better understand and support our patients as they work toward personal empowerment, which ultimately enhances the care we provide.”

Whether it’s the things we say, the people we surround ourselves with, or our choices around aesthetic treatments, Merz Aesthetics believes that every person’s journey to look, feel and live their best is unique. With a purpose to fuel confidence worldwide, Merz Aesthetics hopes that the data-backed insights of the Pillars of Confidence study will inspire meaningful conversations that enable even more people to celebrate being their authentic selves, both inside and out.

For more information on the Pillars of Confidence study and to download a full report of the findings, please visit www.merzaesthetics.com/confidence.

*Merz Aesthetics. (2025). Pillars of Confidence: Global Insights on Aesthetics and Self-Affirmation. Supported by research partner Ipsos.

**Age range in Asia-Pacific region was 21 to 65.

About Merz Aesthetics

Merz Aesthetics is a medical aesthetics business with a long history of empowering health care professionals, patients and employees to live every day with confidence. We aim to help people around the world look, feel and live like the best versions of themselves — however they define it. Clinically proven, its product portfolio includes injectables, devices and skin care treatments designed to meet each patient’s needs with high standards of safety and efficacy. Being family owned for more than 115 years, Merz Aesthetics is known for building unique connections with customers who feel like family. Merz Aesthetics’ global headquarters is in Raleigh, N.C., USA, with a commercial presence in 90 countries worldwide. It is also a part of Merz Group, which was founded in 1908 and is based in Frankfurt, Germany. Learn more at merzaesthetics.com.

© 2025 Merz North America, Inc. All rights reserved. Merz, Merz Aesthetics and the Merz Aesthetics Confidence To Be Logo are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Merz Pharma GmbH & Co. KGaA in the U.S. and/or certain other countries.

View source version on businesswire.com: 
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250129954824/en/

Contact

Media Contact
Merz Aesthetics
Global Corporate Communications
6501 Six Forks Road, Raleigh NC 27615
919-302-3296
media@merz.com

Source : Merz Aesthetics