The International Orthodontic Foundation (IOF) and the Faculty of Dentistry at The University of Hong Kong etched a powerful imprint in the orthodontic community with the triumphant conclusion of their International Orthodontic Symposium. This prestigious event, held in the vibrant city of Hong Kong from June 16th to 18th, 2023, encompassed five diverse and in-depth sessions, spotlighting 32 esteemed speakers from 23 institutions. The symposium included 26 innovative presentations and 2 panel discussions brimming with thought-provoking insights into the field. The expertise attracted an extraordinary number of over 200,000 online views from over 100 regions worldwide and nearly 300 in-person attendees, reflecting the Symposium's expanding global influence. Embracing the Symposium's ethos of inclusivity and accessibility, the full event will be archived for replay on the IOF's official website, extending its reach to an even broader audience.

"Embracing technology and innovation is what our symposium is all about today. You'll hear from the speakers and panelists about all kinds of technology," said Mr. Donald Huang, Co-chairman of the Board of IOF, and Partner and Managing Director, CareCapital Group. Mr. Huang shared how education has transformed his life and expressed his desire to provide similar opportunities in orthodontics. His goal is "to help orthodontists transform their lives and achieve their dreams through education. " As Dr. Thomas F. Flemmig, Dean of Faculty of Dentistry at HKU, expressed, "The symposium is not only a platform for learning and knowledge exchange but also an opportunity for us to strengthen our professional network and foster collaboration."

One of the event's standout moments was the announcement of IOF's exciting new strategic partnerships with the renowned Forsyth Institute. This partnership represents significant strides in fostering a robust global orthodontic collaborative network. Concurrently, IOF launched the 2nd iteration of its Research Grants Program, further cementing their commitment to stimulating pioneering research in orthodontics. These strategic ventures indicate that IOF is trailblazing a path of innovation and collaboration in the orthodontic landscape.

In further strengthening its vibrant relationship with leading global institutes, IOF has taken a stride forward to establish a resilient strategic alliance with the globally acclaimed Forsyth Institute. As per Dr. Benjamin Wu, Chief Scientific Officer of the Forsyth Institute, "we'd like to open up Forsyth's resources with IOF community to extend our collaboration, and the two parties will collaborate in co-hosting future IOF global symposiums." This collaboration promises to broaden the horizons of orthodontic research and academia even more. It pledges to enrich the academic landscape by jointly orchestrating future scholarly gatherings, a blend of intellectual vitality and practical innovation.

A key highlight was the official launch of the 2nd IOF Research Grants Program. Building on the triumph of its first year, which received applications from a diverse set of over 60 international applicants from 10 countries, IOF reiterates its dedication to nourish and financially back projects of superior quality and clinical relevance. With an expanded review committee this year, IOF is well-positioned to meet the increasing demand and pave the way for an unparalleled era of orthodontic research and innovation. "The IOF Research Grants Program promotes innovative and translational research in orthodontics. Our goal is to provide seed funding to researchers, enabling them to generate pilot data for future funding opportunities, " said Dr. Eric Kang Ting, Executive Director of IOF and affiliated professor at the Forsyth Institute and Dr. Peter Ngan, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Orthodontics at West Virginia University.

Discalimer:
This announcement is not directed at any investors or potential investors, and does not constitute an offer to sell — or a solicitation of an offer to buy — any securities, and may not be used or relied upon in evaluating the merits of any investment. Any projections, estimates, forecasts, targets, prospects and/or opinions expressed in this release are subject to change without notice. The contents in here should not be construed as or relied upon in any manner as investment, legal, tax, or other advice.