Straumann opens branch office in Budapest

Group takes over distribution in Hungary gaining direct access to customers

Basel/Budapest, 4 January 2008: Straumann, a global leader in implant, restorative and regenerative dentistry announced today that it has opened a local branch office in Budapest bringing the company closer to Hungarian dental professionals, customers, and patients. At the same time, Straumann has taken over distribution of its products from VaLiD Dental - Medical, which has been its exclusive distribution partner in Hungary since 1998.

With a population of 10 million served by approximately 5000 dentists, Hungary is one of several attractive emerging markets in Eastern Europe and is the first to be served directly by Straumann.

Today, Straumann is present in more than 60 countries worldwide, and generates approximately 95% of its total revenues directly, with the remainder coming through distributors.

About Straumann
Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, the Straumann Group (SWX: STMN) is a global leader in implant and restorative dentistry and oral tissue regeneration. In collaboration with leading clinics, research institutes and universities, Straumann researches, develops and manufactures dental implants, instruments, prosthetics and tissue regeneration products for use in tooth replacement and restoration solutions or to prevent tooth loss. Straumann currently employs approx. 2000 people and its products and services are available in more than 60 countries through its broad network of distribution subsidiaries and partners.

Concerning forward-looking statements
This document contains certain “forward-looking statements”, which can be identified by the use of terminology such as “attractive” and “emerging”, or similar wording. Such forward-looking statements reflect the current views of management and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements of the Group to differ materially from those expressed or implied. These include risks related to the success of and demand for the Group’s products, the potential for the Group’s products to become obsolete, the Group’s ability to defend its intellectual property, the Group’s ability to develop and commercialize new products in a timely manner, the dynamic and competitive environment in which the Group operates, the regulatory environment, changes in currency exchange rates, the Group’s ability to generate revenues and profitability, and the Group’s ability to realize its expansion and takeover projects in a timely manner. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in this release. Straumann is providing the information in this release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in it as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.