Patents granted for Nanocolumn Technology

IQE plc ("IQE" or the "Group") IQE plc (AIM: IQE), the leading global supplier of advanced semiconductor epitaxial wafer products and wafer services to the semiconductor industry, is pleased to announce that NanoGaN Limited ("NanoGaN"), a wholly owned subsidiary of IQE, has been granted two separate patents in relation to its nanocolumn technology for the production of advanced blue and green lasers and LEDs. Patent 2008-549935 has been granted by the Japan Patent Office to NanoGaN and protects the Group's 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"). A second patent, No.2446471, has been granted by the UK patent office to protect the process for manufacturing semiconductor devices such as laser diodes, LEDs and solar cells, directly onto the proprietary nanocolumn platform. The production of advanced blue and green semiconductor lasers and ultra high brightness LEDs requires stable, high quality substrates with minimal defects to increase yield and therefore reduce manufacturing costs. IQE acquired NanoGaN in October 2009 with the aim of assisting in completing the development of commercial products and thereafter transferring the technology to its high volume production facilities. IQE's acquisition of NanoGaN complemented and enhanced IQE's 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 SSL for industrial, commercial and residential lighting. It is envisaged that NanoGaN's core technology may also be used to further enhance IQE's leading position in the supply of GaN products for high power RF applications. Dr. Drew Nelson, Group CEO and President said: "Continuous innovation is one of IQE's key attributes that enables the Group to offer its customers the broadest portfolio of leading edge semiconductor technologies available. "Adding these new patents to our existing portfolio, combined with strong internal practices to protect intellectual property and know how, play a vital role in ensuring IQE's position as a global leader in the manufacture and supply of advanced semiconductor wafer products for the wireless, optoelectronic and solar industry sectors." Contacts: IQE plc (+44 29 2083 9400) Drew Nelson Chris Meadows Execution Noble & Company Limited (+44 20 7456 9191) John Llewellyn-Lloyd James Bromhead College Hill (+44 20 7457 2020) Adrian Duffield Carl Franklin [HUG#1435630] This announcement is distributed by Thomson Reuters on behalf of Thomson Reuters clients. The owner of this announcement warrants that: (i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and other applicable laws; and (ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein. All reproduction for further distribution is prohibited. Source: IQE plc via Thomson Reuters ONE