Keystone Dental Group Granted Patent from USPTO for Nexus IOS Solution

IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 18, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Osteon Medical, a subsidiary of Keystone Dental Holdings ("Keystone Dental" or the "Company"), today announced the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has granted the Company a patent for its innovative Nexus IOS solution. The Nexus iOS Scan Gauge technology allows implant dentists to perform direct full-arch implant scans using an Intraoral Scanner (IOS) with predictable and passive fitting prosthetic outcomes. This technology replaces the traditionally manual impression-taking process through a faster, cost-effective, and accessible workflow.

The Nexus iOS Scan Gauge technology is now the only patented elongated body scan apparatus available on the market that acquires direct implant-location data. The patent will provide Keystone Dental with important protection, further strengthening the Company's patent portfolio, which includes a global portfolio of more than 75 claims and patents. The Company was previously granted a related patent in Australia in 2021 and anticipates additional favorable outcomes on outstanding patent applications in other countries.

"This is a significant and exciting decision by the U.S. patent office, and we view the issuance of this patent as recognition of the important contribution Nexus IOS has made in this field," said Melker Nilsson, CEO of Keystone Dental. "Given that patent offices in other countries consider U.S. approvals in reviewing applications, we are hopeful that Nexus can receive similarly favorable outcomes in other key geographic markets, which we believe will help strengthen our market share in this category."

"This is a significant milestone for our Company and, more importantly, one of the highest forms of validation for a truly innovative product," said Michael Tuckman, Chief R&D Officer of Keystone Dental, founder of Osteon Medical, and inventor of Nexus iOS Scan Gauge technology.

About Keystone Dental Group:

Keystone Dental is a global commercial-stage medical technology company focused on providing end-to-end tooth replacement solutions for dental practitioners. Headquartered in Irvine, California, and with research and development and manufacturing sites in Caesarea, Israel and Melbourne, Australia, Keystone Dental markets its products worldwide. The Company's product portfolio includes proprietary offerings such as its highly innovative implant systems Genesis Active, Molaris™ and Prima Plus™ that offers unique solutions to the dental practitioners. In addition, the Company also offers an attractive dental implant value brand in Paltop, and a well-regarded portfolio of biomaterials mainly sold under the DYNA brand. Keystone Dental acquired Implant Solutions Pty Ltd ("Osteon") in 2021, adding a comprehensive portfolio of prosthetic solutions on implants and digital workflow capabilities, not least the groundbreaking Nexus iOS digital workflow solution for restoring the fully edentulous patient. For more information, refer to www.keystonedental.com.

About Osteon Medical:

Osteon Medical, a commercial-stage leader in digital dental implant solutions, develops innovative and advanced customized implant-retained prosthetics and advanced engineering solutions based on propriety CAD/CAM scanning and design technology.

These technologies deliver faster, simpler, and more accurate implementation of conventionally complex procedures. Osteon's solutions include scanning components, A.I-supported data analysis software, CAD/CAM design programs, 3D printing and advanced industrialized manufacturing processes. Osteon is headquartered in Melbourne, Australia and supported by dedicated production facilities in both Melbourne and California, USA with offices in Osaka, Japan and Lyon, France. Osteon Medical's products are available in Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Europe, USA and Canada.

Proposed Business Combination Agreement

In August 2023, Keystone Dental and Check-Cap Ltd. ("Check-Cap" or the "Company") (NASDAQ:CHEK) announced entering into a definitive Business Combination Agreement (the "Business Combination Agreement") under which the stockholders of Keystone Dental will become the majority holders of the combined company. If completed, the business combination will create a public company headquartered in Irvine, CA and focused on advancing commercial execution and market development of Keystone Dental's comprehensive portfolio of implants, arches and other tooth replacement solutions comprised of restoration products, prosthetic solutions, biomaterial, and digital dentistry capabilities. Upon closing of the transaction, the combined company will trade on the NASDAQ under the symbol "KSD." The executive team of Keystone Dental will serve as the executive team of the combined company, led by Melker Nilsson, Keystone's Chief Executive Officer.

About Check-Cap

Check-Cap (NASDAQ:CHEK) is a clinical stage medical diagnostics company aiming to redefine colorectal cancer (CRC) screening through the introduction of C-Scan®, the first and only patient-friendly preparation-free screening test to detect polyps before they may transform into colorectal cancer and enable early intervention and cancer prevention. C-Scan is an investigational device and is not available for sale in the United States.

Important Additional Information and Where to Find It

In connection with the business combination, a newly formed wholly owned subsidiary of Keystone Dental ("Keystone Parent") has filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4 and that will constitute a prospectus with respect to shares of common stock of Keystone Parent to be issued in the business combination and Check-Cap intends to deliver a proxy statement to its shareholders in connection with the special meeting of its shareholders. Check-Cap and Keystone Parent may also file other documents with the SEC regarding the business combination. This press release is not a substitute for the prospectus or any other document which Keystone Parent or Check-Cap may file with the SEC. INVESTORS, KEYSTONE SECURITY HOLDERS AND CHECK-CAP SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROSPECTUS AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS THAT ARE OR WILL BE FILED BY KEYSTONE PARENT OR CHECK-CAP WITH THE SEC, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THESE DOCUMENTS, CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN OR WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE BUSINESS COMBINATION AND RELATED MATTERS. Investors, Keystone security holders and Check-Cap security holders will also be able to obtain free copies of the prospectus (when available) and other documents containing important information about Check-Cap, Keystone and the business combination that are or will be filed with the SEC by Check-Cap or Keystone through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov.

Participants in the Solicitation

Check-Cap, Keystone Parent and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed under SEC rules to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the shareholders of Check-Cap in connection with the business combination. Information about Check-Cap's directors and executive officers is set forth in Check-Cap's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2022 which was filed with the SEC on March 31, 2023. Information about Keystone Dental's directors and executive officers will be set forth in the prospectus (when available). Other information regarding the interests of such individuals, as well as information regarding other persons who may be deemed participants in the business combination, will be set forth in the prospectus, the proxy statement and other relevant materials to be filed or submitted with the SEC when they become available. Investors, Keystone security holders and Check-Cap security holders and other readers should read the prospectus and the proxy statement carefully when they become available before making any voting or investment decisions.

No Offer or Solicitation

This communication is not intended to and shall not constitute an offer to buy or sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any securities, or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made, except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Legal Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies of Check-Cap and/or Keystone Dental regarding the future including, without limitation, statements regarding Keystone's technology and the benefits of tooth replacement solutions, expectations regarding the ownership structure of the combined company, and the structure, timing and completion of the proposed business combination. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts, or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words "anticipate," "believe," continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "might," "plan," "possible," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "strive," "would," "aim," "target," "commit," and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that statement is not forward looking. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that, while considered reasonable are inherently uncertain. New risks and uncertainties may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible to predict all risks and uncertainties. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to, various factors beyond management's control including general economic conditions; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Keystone Dental or Check-Cap following the announcement of the business combination; the inability to complete the business combination, including due to the inability to concurrently close the business combination or due to failure to obtain approval of the shareholders of Check-Cap; delays in obtaining, adverse conditions contained in, or the inability to obtain necessary regulatory approvals, or delays in completing regulatory reviews, required to complete the business combination; the risk that the business combination disrupts current plans and operations as a result of the announcement and consummation of the business combination; the inability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the business combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of the combined company to grow and manage growth, maintain relationships with customers and suppliers and retain key employees; costs related to the business combination; the possibility that the combined company may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in the registration statement on Form S-4 filed by Keystone Parent with the SEC and other risks, uncertainties and factors set forth under "Risk Factors" therein as well as in the section entitled "Risk Factors," in Check-Cap's Report on Form 6-K furnished to the SEC on August 4, 2023, and its other filings with the SEC, as well as factors associated with companies, such as Keystone and Check-Cap, that operate in the life science industry. Nothing in this press release should be regarded as a representation by any person that the forward-looking statements set forth herein will be achieved or that any of the contemplated results of such forward-looking statements will be achieved. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements in this press release, which speak only as of the date they are made and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the cautionary statements herein. Neither Check-Cap nor Keystone undertakes or accepts any duty to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in their expectations or in the events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. This press release does not purport to summarize all of the conditions, risks and other attributes of an investment in Keystone, Check-Cap or the combined company.

Contact:

Jeremy Feffer

LifeSci Advisors

212-915-2568

[email protected]