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News Article

IQE pick up NanoGaN

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With a view towards advanced lasers, IQE has acquired GaN specialist company

IQE, a supplier of advanced wafer products and wafer services to the semiconductor industry, is to acquire UK based NanoGaN. NanoGaN has established a range of processes and intellectual property relating to gallium nitride (GaN) materials and devices. This includes its proprietary Nanocolumn Technology for producing high quality, free-standing gallium nitride substrates, which are critical for manufacturing high quality blue and green semiconductor lasers and ultra high brightness LEDs for Solid State Lighting (SSL).

The development of NanoGaN’s technology is at an advanced stage. IQE will assist in completing the development of commercial products and will thereafter begin the transfer of the technology to its high volume production facilities where it is expected to begin generating sales in 2010, followed by rapid sales growth as the technology is commercialised.

The acquisition complements and enhances IQE’s existing product portfolio by accelerating the Group’s strategic plans to develop a leadership position in the emerging high growth markets for advanced laser projection, high definition optical storage (including Blue Ray products), high resolution laser printing and solid state lighting for industrial, commercial and residential lighting. NanoGaN’s core technology will also be used to further enhance IQE’s leading position in the supply of GaN products for high power RF applications.

The deal also strengthens IQE’s position as a technology leader by bringing powerful new intellectual property to the group, and exciting new talent.  NanoGaN brings with it seven filed patents, and several additional innovations for which patents will be submitted.

As part of the deal, Professor Wang, the CEO of NanoGaN and inventor of the nanocolumn technology will become Chief Scientific Advisor to IQE. Professor Wang is widely acknowledged as a world leading advanced materials scientist with significant commercial and advisory experience. He was co-founder of Arima Optoelectronics Corporation, a leading optoelectronics company listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange. Professor Wang has a history of successfully patenting innovative technologies. Many of his 26 granted patents continue to be used for mass production within the optoelectronics industry.  He has also acted in advisory roles, including Scientific Advisor to the ITRI (Industrial Technology Research Institute) of Taiwan and to the Taiwanese Government.

The consideration for the acquisition of NanoGaN is for up to £3.6m, based on the achievement of milestones relating to the commercialisation of the intellectual property.  The initial consideration of £0.4m will be settled by the issue of new shares and cash. IQE has the option to settle the future milestone payments in either shares or cash. Completion of the acquisition will take place upon admission to trading of those new shares to be issued in satisfaction of part of the initial consideration, expected to be on or around 7 October 2009.


Commenting on the deal, Dr Drew Nelson, IQE Chief Executive Officer said, “The acquisition of NanoGaN represents a major milestone in our technology roadmap, and reinforces our strategy of being a powerful IP based technology leader in the supply of advanced semiconductor materials to a multitude of high growth markets.
 
“This acquisition provides a perfect complement to our existing wireless and opto, and emerging solar businesses and widens our product portfolio.We now operate in a range of diverse international markets, all with powerful  drivers including high growth consumer applications and political and legislative trends towards technological solutions to address environmental challenges”

“Current trading across the group continues to be strong and the Board remains confident of meeting market expectations for the full year 2009.”

Professor Wang Nang Wang said, “NanoGaN has reached a very exciting stage of development. Our Nanocolumn technology provides a unique approach to overcoming the challenges facing the advancement of blue and green laser technology, high density optical storage and ultra high efficiency solid state lighting.
 
“This transaction represents a unique opportunity for the commercialising of NanoGaN’s world leading technology and cements our long term relationship with IQE.  We carefully selected IQE as the ideal partner to bring our intellectual property to mass production based on its track record and its experience. In addition I am extremely excited to accept the position of Chief Scientific Advisor to the IQE Group, to help further advance their powerful portfolio of IP based production technology for advance semiconductor materials”

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