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The Canadian University of British Columbia to Establish the Nobel Biocare Oral Health Center

ZURICH, Switzerland, March 9, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Nobel Biocare , the world leader in innovative esthetic dental solutions, today announced the donation of CAD 5 million over five years to the University of British Columbia Faculty of Dentistry, Vancouver, Canada, to establish the Nobel Biocare Oral Health Center. The new hi-tech clinic will promote the study of dental implants and prosthetics by providing a state-of-the-art teaching and research facility for optimal patient treatment.

Heliane Canepa, President and CEO of Nobel Biocare said, "Satisfying the demands of today's dental patients requires a strong partnership between the dental industry, the dental profession and dental universities. The need to replace or improve teeth is prevalent in our society, and only together can we find new solutions that provide patients with a reason to go to the dentist instead of finding ways to avoid it. The University of British Columbia is a leader in Western Canada in both their undergraduate dental programs and their continuing education courses for dental professionals, and we are pleased to partner with them."

Dr. Edwin H.K. Yen, Dean of the University of British Columbia Faculty of Dentistry commented, "University of British Columbia is engaged in the instruction and research in the field of dental implants and dental prosthetics. This generous support is a significant milestone in helping us provide a unique learning environment that will accelerate and enhance student learning while optimizing quality assurance for patient care."

The University of British Columbia Faculty of Dentistry also has a strategic cooperation with various leading Chinese universities. "Our partnership with UBC will be an important factor in our strategy for China, and will give those students early access to the solutions of Nobel Biocare," says Heliane Canepa.

The Nobel Biocare Oral Health Center will receive more than 35,000 patient visits each year, and students will learn in 144 clinical operatories equipped with advanced instrument systems and chair-side software. The technology will enable students and patients to view pertinent information during treatment planning and follow-up visits. The clinic is scheduled to open in the fall of 2006.

This donation is part of Nobel Biocare's commitment to developing undergraduate, graduate and continuing education programs through strategic partnerships with the world's leading dental institutions. Previous partnerships include the New York University College of Dentistry, the Louisiana State University, Case Western Reserve and the University of Toronto, among others.

Training and Education are cornerstones of Nobel Biocare's strategy to offer durable and esthetic tooth replacement solutions to dental professionals and patients. As one of the world leaders in continuing and post-graduate education, the company has been providing specialist training and mentoring for its clinically documented treatment concepts for more than 20 years. In 2005, Nobel Biocare enrolled over 250,000 dental professionals in its training and education courses around the world.

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, NobelGuide(tm) (dental implants) and Procera(r) (individualized dental prosthetics). Nobel Biocare is a one-stop shop for restorative esthetic dentistry based on science, offering a wide range of innovative Crown and Bridge and Implant products, as well as training and education and clinically documented treatment concepts. Nobel Biocare has some 1,650 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 USA. Nobel Biocare has direct sales organizations in 33 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.

CONTACT:   Nobel Biocare Holding AG 
           Suha Demokan, Head of Investor Relations
           +41 43 211 53 30,  +41 79 430 81 46
           suha.demokan@nobelbiocare.com

           Gunilla Ekholtz, Investor Relations Officer 
           +46 31 81 88 36,  +46 708 81 88 36
           gunilla.ekholtz@nobelbiocare.com

           www.nobelbiocare.com