Saifun Semiconductors (SFUN)

[midastouch017]

SMIC extends NROM technology license deal with Saifun

Wed Jan 4, 2006 05:12 AM ET
(The following was issued by Israel's Saifun (SFUN.O: Quote, Profile, Research) and Hong Kong's SMIC (0981.HK: Quote, Profile, Research) (SMI.N: Quote, Profile, Research) ):
Jan 4 - Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation ("SMIC"; NYSE: SMI and HKSE: 981), one of the leading semiconductor foundries in the world and China, and SAIFUN Semiconductors Ltd. (Nasdaq: SFUN), a provider of intellectual property (IP) solutions for the non-volatile memory (NVM) market, today announced that SMIC will use the SAIFUN NROM(R) technology to develop and manufacture Flash memory cards.

SAIFUN NROM technology enables storage of up to four bit-per-cell or more than double the storage capacity of a basic memory cell, and has a cell architecture that requires fewer manufacturing steps, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

"SMIC recognizes the Flash memory card market as an important driver towards our success in the future," said Mr. Marco Mora, Chief Operating Officer of SMIC. "Now in our second agreement with Saifun, we are excited to introduce high-density memory cards with Saifun's advanced memory technology.

"We will soon look into key distribution channels that align with our core strengths. SMIC truly believes with Saifun's leading memory technology and our manufacturing strength, SMIC will be able to bring to market an extremely competitive product."

"We are pleased that SMIC has extended our partnership into the memory card market," said Mr. Kobi Rozengarten, President of Saifun Semiconductors. "Since our first license agreement this past June, both companies have been working closely together to develop leading-edge Flash memory products for the data market based on the NROM two-bit and four-bit technologies.

"With the growing demand for high density cards, the combination of SMIC's advanced manufacturing expertise and Saifun's innovative NROM technology presents another significant growth opportunity for both companies."

http://yahoo.reuters.com/financeQuoteCompanyNewsArticle.jhtml?duid=mtfh33569_2006-01-04_10-12-40_l04...

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