SAN JOSE, Calif., April 09, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- POET Technologies Inc. (“POET”) (TSX Venture:PTK)
(OTCQX:POETF), a designer, developer and manufacturer of optoelectronic devices, including light sources, passive wave guides and
Photonic Integrated Circuits (PIC), today announced a master collaboration agreement with SilTerra, a Malaysia-based semiconductor
wafer foundry, for the co-development of certain fabrication processes and the manufacturing of POET’s Optical Interposer Platform.
The partnership is expected to accelerate the path to commercial production of the Optical Interposer, which will enable optical
engines for single-mode transceiver modules and other high bandwidth devices.
Together, the companies will bring-up critical waveguide processes previously developed by POET for its Optical
Interposer, and implement the process flows on newly purchased equipment at SilTerra’s world-class 8” silicon foundry in Kulim,
Malaysia. In support of this activity, SilTerra has agreed to assist financially with the purchase of specialized semiconductor
fabrication and testing equipment, as well as to share certain costs associated with facilities enhancements and installation of
equipment for manufacturing the Optical Interposer. Additionally, the collaboration includes a wafer purchase agreement for the
manufacturing of prototype, initial production and volume production wafers.
POET’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Suresh Venkatesan, commented, “Following several months of preliminary
collaborative work together, this agreement with SilTerra represents a significant milestone toward our goal of commercializing
POET’s Optical Interposer Platform. The combined resources and investments of the two companies enables us to establish a unique
manufacturing process as well as a reliable supply of wafers for our Optical Interposer. SilTerra offers POET a truly unique
combination of advanced 90 nanometer lithography, cost-effective 8” silicon processing copper metallization and MEMS capabilities,
all of which are needed for our Optical Interposer. As a result of this partnership, POET has now secured a key element in the
commercialization process allowing us to establish more engagements with prospective customers.”
Firdaus Abdullah, SilTerra’s Chief Executive Officer stated, “SilTerra is delighted to be working with POET in
what we regard as a key strategic engagement to address the increasing need for cost-effective solutions for Data Center
Interconnects through the innovative use of silicon in photonics. POET’s Optical Interposer is a major advance over other
approaches to optical interconnects and facilitates the co-packaging of electronics and photonics devices in a single
Multi-Chip-Module (MCM). POET’s “Photonics-in-a-package” solution has the potential to address even larger markets in the future
for the integration and co-optimization of ASIC’s and DSP’s with photonics at the interposer and chip level. We at SilTerra
look forward to a long and prosperous relationship between our two companies and our teams.”
The Master Collaboration Agreement between POET Technologies and SilTerra Malaysia Sdn Bhd was signed on April
6, 2018 and includes provisions for multiple co-development projects, consignment by POET of newly purchased equipment to be
installed in SilTerra’s Malaysian foundry, various support services to be provided by SilTerra and the purchase of wafers
containing Optical Interposer devices from SilTerra over an initial three-year term.
About POET Technologies Inc.
POET Technologies is a developer and manufacturer of optical light source products for the sensing and data
communications markets. Integration of optics and electronics is fundamental to increasing functional scaling and lowering the cost
of current photonic solutions. POET believes that its approach to both hybrid and monolithic integration of devices, utilizing a
novel dielectric platform and proven advanced wafer-level packaging techniques enables substantial improvements in device cost,
efficiency and performance. Optical engines based on this integrated approach have applications ranging from data centers to
consumer products. POET is headquartered in Toronto, with operations in Silicon Valley, the United Kingdom, and Singapore. More
information may be obtained at www.poet-technologies.com.
About SilTerra
SilTerra Malaysia Sdn Bhd is a semiconductor wafer foundry offering fabrication and design support services in
CMOS logic, High-Voltage, Mixed-signal, RF, BCD, Power and MEMS technologies down to 90 nanometer feature size. SilTerra's wafer
fab has a design-in capacity of 46,000 eight-inch wafers per month and currently serves customers in US, Taiwan, Korea and
China.
Environmentally vigilant, SilTerra delivers award-winning, world-class performance to its customers seeking
flexible capacity, custom technologies, competitive advantages and around the clock customer support. SilTerra is ISO 9001:2008 and
ISO 14001 certified. Starting commercial production in 2001, the company's headquarters and factory are located in Malaysia's Kulim
Hi-Tech Park, with sales and marketing offices in San Jose (California) and Hsinchu (Taiwan). For additional information on
SilTerra or its services, please visit www.silterra.com
POET Technologies, Inc. Shareholder Contact:
Shelton Group
Brett L. Perry
sheltonir@sheltongroup.com
SilTerra Malaysia Sdn Bhd Contact:
Matthew Tan Hooi Sin
Tel: +60-12-482-1236
Email: matthew_tan@silterra.com
This news release contains “forward-looking information” (within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws) and
“forward-looking statements” (within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). Such statements or
information are identified with words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “plan”, “intend”, “potential”, “estimate”,
“propose”, “project”, “outlook”, “foresee” or similar words suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook. Such
statements include the Company’s expected benefits from its agreement with SilTerra and acceleration of time to commercial
production as well as its expectations with respect to the capability, functionality, performance and cost of the Company’s
technology.
Such forward-looking information or statements are based on a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions
which may cause actual results or other expectations to differ materially from those anticipated and which may prove to be
incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, management’s expectations regarding future growth, plans for
and completion of projects by the Company’s third-party relationships, availability of capital, and the necessity to incur capital
and other expenditures. Actual results could differ materially due to a number of factors, including, without limitation,
operational risks in the completion of the Company’s anticipated projects, delays or changes in plans with respect to the
development of the Company’s anticipated projects by the Company’s third-party relationships, risks affecting the Company’s ability
to execute projects, the ability to attract key personnel, and the inability to raise additional capital. Although the Company
believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information or statements are reasonable, prospective investors in
the Company’s securities should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because the Company can provide no assurance
that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward- looking information and statements contained in this news release are as
of the date of this news release and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise this forward-looking information and
statements except as required by law.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the
policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
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