Lightwave Logic Inc (LWLG)

[Richard_LaRiv]

Proto and others, please correct anything I may have wrong. Here is the history as I understand it.


1) Vivek Rajgarhia works for GigOptix until 2010 when he leaves to start his own company, Optomai Inc.

2) Optomai gets acquired by MACOM in 2011 and Vivek begins his work with MACOM on thin film polymer technology.

3) Later in 2011, GigOptix files a lawsuit against MACOM for patent infringement directly related to trade secrets (allegedly) brought over from Vivek's employment.

4) In September of 2013 the lawsuit is settled and MACOM pays GigOptix $7.5 million, but admits no fault as part of the settlement.

5) In 2014 GigOptix creates a joint venture with DPqD and names that new company BrPhotonics, headquartered in Brazil. It sends all of its Polymer Photonics technology to BrPhotonics.

6) In April of 2016 GigOptix acquires Magnum Semiconductor and changes its name to GigPeak.

7) In September of 2016, BrPhotonics begins a collaboration with MACOM and AppliedMicro to work on polymer modulators. These modulators never gain market acceptance and BrPhotonics closes shop.

8) In February 2017, GigPeak gets acquired by IDTI for its remaining semiconductor technology for $250 million.

9) In June of 2018, Lightwave Logic acquires BrPhotonics/GigPeak's polymer technology for $300,000. This augments LWLG's existing polymer modulator technology giving them full freedom of manufacture.

10) In 2019, Vivek Rajgarhia leaves MACOM to accept position as the president of POET technologies.



WOW! What a history. A couple reflections in summary:
MACOM infringes (allegedly) on some patents to develop polymer modulators, then settles the lawsuit. Then the company that sued them sends that patented technology to Brazil. Then MACOM collaborates with the Brazilian company on polymer modulators. Then the Brazilian company shuts down and sells its patented technology to Lightwave Logic... I think its safe to say MACOM would be interested in a third run at a partnership to bring polymer modulators to market. I think the question is whether it is in LWLG's best interest to collaborate with MACOM. Perhaps. Or perhaps LWLG has bigger prospects and I think we will find out very soon.



References:
1) https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivek-rajgarhia-8312594/

2) https://www.macom.com/about/news-and-events/press-release-archive/row-col1/news--event-archive/ma-com-technology-solutions-acqu

3) https://www.macom.com/about/news-and-events/press-release-archive/row-col1/news--event-archive/ma-com-tech-to-vigorously-defend

4) https://ir.macom.com/news-releases/news-release-details/macom-and-gigoptix-announce-final-settlement-all-pending-suits

5) https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/GIGOPTIX-INC-10945198/news/GigOptix-Inc-GigOptix-Inc-and-CPqD-Announce-Signing-of-Definitive-Agreements-to-Incept-BrPhotoni-17931795/

6) https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1432150/000114036116059900/ex99_1.htm

7) http://www.semiconductor-today.com/news_items/2016/sep/amcc-macom-brp_200916.shtml

8) https://www.lightwaveonline.com/business/mergers-acquisitions/article/16674097/idt-to-acquire-gigpeak-for-250-million

9) https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2018/06/15/1525256/0/en/Lightwave-Logic-Acquires-the-Polymer-Technology-Intellectual-Property-Assets-of-BrPhotonics.html

10) https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2019/11/05/1941141/0/en/POET-Announces-Appointment-of-Vivek-Rajgarhia-as-President-and-Suresh-Venkatesan-as-Chairman-CEO.html