Nobel Biocare Opens First Procera Plant in Japan to Accommodate Fast Regional Gr

The Nobel Biocare plant in Tokyo was developed to meet theevolving needs of the company's rapidly growing customerbase in Japan and Asia. The plant also features trainingfacilities to strengthen Nobel Biocare's commitment to productand training support in Japan. The new plant enhances NobelBiocare's global manufacturing network. Together with thecompany's ceramic centers in Stockholm (Sweden) and Mahwah(USA), and the two implant manufacturing sites in Karlskoga(Sweden) and Yorba Linda (USA), Nobel Biocare now maintainsmanufacturing sites which serve all key regions of the world.The company builds upon 20 years of direct presence in Japan-- Nobel Biocare's third largest market. The plant is anothermilestone of the company's expansion in Asia.

Satisfying growing customer demand with custom-made prosthetics

The Tokyo plant has a fully computerized manufacturing processfrom order to delivery. It will produce Nobel Biocare'sProcera(r) family of crowns, bridges, abutments and laminates.With this plant, Nobel Biocare is in an ideal position toserve the growing customer demand in Japan and throughoutAsia. Recently, the plant successfully passed the ISO 13485quality audit with zero non-conformities.

``Our new plant in Japan is the perfect example of how wedeliver our best-in-class solutions to our customers aroundthe world. We are now closer to our Japanese customers tosupport them even better. We will be able provide beautifulsmiles to patients in a quicker and easier way,'' statesHeliane Canepa, President and CEO of Nobel Biocare.

The opening ceremony on 1 September will be hosted by HelianeCanepa and her successor, Domenico Scala. The ceremony willbe accompanied by a comprehensive scientific program featuringProcera(r) solutions in seminars, panels, live treatments,and presentations by distinguished dental experts.

Procera(r) -- The perfect fit for Japan and Asia

The products manufactured in Japan are based on the uniqueProcera(r) process. Procera(r) is a high-tech process forindustrial production of individually designed crowns, bridges,laminates, and abutments. The Procera(r) process allowsdental professionals to outsource their production: Procera(r)products can be ordered online, around-the-clock via digitalfiles containing design specifications for individual treatmentsolutions. The fully automated production process beginsimmediately upon receipt of the file, and after a few hoursthe custom-made product is sent to the dental lab. Everypiece is unique and individually produced for each patient.

Developed in Sweden by Nobel Biocare, Procera(r) is a breakthroughprocess that substantially increases dental laboratory efficiency.The Alumina and Zirconia ceramic materials used in the Procera(r)process result in solutions that closely mimic real teeth,giving restorations a beautiful, natural appearance. Utilizingthe latest scanning technologies, CAD/CAM and manufacturingprocesses, high accuracy and perfect precision fit is ensured.

Alumina and zirconia are all-ceramic biocompatible materialswith excellent mechanical properties. The combination ofthese ceramics and the Procera(r) process enable Nobel Biocareto provide the best individualized, esthetic dental solutionsavailable today. To date, Nobel Biocare has produced morethan 7 million Procera(r) products worldwide and is theundisputed leader in this field. Procera(r) products aresupported by over 15 years of clinical documentation andextensive scientific evidence.

The dental esthetics/cosmetics market -- Long-term growthahead

In Japan, as well as in many other Asian countries, thedemand for individualized dental esthetics is rapidly increasing.The advances in all-ceramic restoration technologies supportthe increasing demand with natural-looking and durable solutions.According to the MRG report CAD/CAM supported solutionsgrew by 70% in 2006. The Japanese implant market is, accordingto the same report, growing by approximately 18% per year.Due to its market-leading position, product offer and focuson customer service, Nobel Biocare in Japan grew by 45%in the first six months of 2007.

Nobel Biocare is a medical devices group and the world leaderin innovative esthetic dental solutions with its brandsBranemark System(r), NobelReplace(tm), NobelSpeedy(tm),NobelPerfect(r), NobelDirect(r), Replace Select, (dentalimplants), Procera(r) (individualized dental prosthetics),NobelGuide(tm) (complete patient rehabilitation program)and NobelSmile(tm) (patient education website). Nobel Biocareis a one-stop shop for restorative esthetic dentistry, offeringa wide range of innovative Crown & Bridge & Implant products,as well as training and education, patient information andclinically documented treatment concepts. Nobel Biocarehas over 2,100 employees and recorded revenue of EUR 601million in 2006. The Company is domiciled in Zurich, Switzerlandwith headquarters in Zurich and in Gothenburg, Sweden. Productiontakes place at four production sites located in Sweden andthe USA. Nobel Biocare has direct sales organizations in34 countries. The shares of the parent company Nobel BiocareHolding AG are listed on the SWX Swiss Exchange and on theStockholm Stock Exchange, Sweden.