IQE Group expands IP portfolio

IQE plc

IQE Group expands IP portfolio with the purchase of Quasi Photonic Crystal Patents

Cardiff, UK. 21 December 2017: IQE plc (AIM: IQE, "IQE" or the "Group"), the leading global supplier of advanced wafer products and wafer services to the semiconductor industry, announces that its wholly owned subsidiary, NanoGaN Limited, has secured the purchase and assignment of a portfolio of patents from Taiwan based Luxtaltek Corporation.

The portfolio of 54 patents cover a range of novel technologies and applications based mainly on Quasi Photonic Crystals (QPC). This advanced materials technology complements the Group's organic development of NanoImprint Lithography ("NIL"), and broadens the potential application of NIL beyond IQE's current focus on advanced DFB lasers. Indeed, the patents acquired have applications in Optical components including VCSEL and edge emitting lasers,modulators, silicon photonics, fibre optic systems, micro LED displays, image sensors including Diffractive Optical Elements (DOE) and biosensors.

NanoGan Limited has agreed a one-off payment of US$500,000 for the purchase. The IQE Board believes that the Group is well positioned to commercialise this new technology thanks to its existing in-house NIL capability.

IQE Chief Executive, Dr Drew Nelson said:

"Over the last few years, IQE has developed an exciting and strong IP portfolio, which, coupled with the expertise and manufacturing capability to commercialise these new materials technologies have uniquely positioned IQE as the clear global leader in providing advanced compound semiconductor technology solutions.

This significant addition to our IP portfolio provides the Group with additional competitive advantages that will secure our entry and maintain our leadership across a range of new and emerging technology applications, and offer our customers access to a unique portfolio of materials expertise."

CONTACTS

IQE plc +44 (0) 29 2083 9400 Drew Nelson Phil Rasmussen Chris Meadows 

Canaccord Genuity + 44 (0) 20 7523 8000 Simon Bridges Henry Fitzgerald O'ConnorRichard Andrews

Peel Hunt +44 (0) 20 7418 8900Edward Knight

Nick Prowting

About IQE:

IQE is a leading global supplier of advanced semiconductor wafers with products that cover a diverse range of applications. The Group's outsourced foundry services provides a 'one stop shop' for the wafer needs of the world's leading semiconductor manufacturers.

IQE uses advanced epitaxial growth technology platforms to manufacture and supply advanced semiconductor 'epi-wafers' to the major chip manufacturing companies, who then use these wafers to make the chips which form the key components of virtually all high technology systems.

IQE's products are found in many consumer, communication, computing, mobility and industrial applications. IQE's epi-wafers enable a wide range of wireless/RF, photonics, infrared, power, solar, advanced electronics and sensor technologies.

IQE operates multiple manufacturing and R&D facilities across Europe, Asia and the USA.

About Luxaltek:

Luxtaltek Corporation, founded in 1992, is headquartered in Miaoli County, Taiwan. The company has 2 production bases, located at Chunan and Dongguan. The company engages in design, manufacturing, and sales of LED Epi and chips.

Luxtaltek was listed on Taiwan's GreTai Securities Market in July, 2006 and delisted from the exchange in 2012.

Luxtaltek owns Dongguan Uni-light Touchtek Corp. through Golden Eagle Technology Ltd., a holding company.

Luxtaltek was named as UniLite before 2009. In 2009, the company acquired its subsidiary Luxtaltek and then changed its name as Luxtaltek post-acquisition. Its subsidiary engages in R&D and production of LED Epi and chips, and provides ODM services of photonic crystal.