Virage Logic absorbs logic memory IP biz of Impinj

Virage Logic Corp. and Impinj Inc. have announced that Virage Logic has acquired Impinj's logic non-volatile memory intellectual property (IP) business for $5.2 million. The purchase extends Virage Logic's embedded memory position into the rapidly growing non-volatile memory market for standard CMOS processes.

Virage Logic has acquired Impinj's solutions for logic non-volatile memory IP and added over 50 Impinj patents to its robust IP portfolio. In addition, Virage Logic has hired 30 former Impinj employees who were responsible for the company's logic non-volatile memory IP business. About 90 percent of these employees are involved in R&D, and the remaining employed in marketing and sales positions.

"This acquisition represents another element toward attainment of our core vision of establishing Virage Logic as a broad line supplier of highly differentiated physical and application specific IP to the semiconductor industry," said Dan McCranie, CEO and chairman of Virage Logic. "We believe that this will benefit our customer base, particularly our global IDM, foundry and fabless customers."

William Colleran, president and CEO of Impinj said the agreement is beneficial for both companies. "Virage Logic offers an exceptional environment for our talented team to continue to advance the development of an industry leading product line and to broaden its distribution through a worldwide sales and support channel," said Colleran. "Moving forward as a pure-play RFID provider, Impinj will rely on Virage Logic as our provider for the logic non-volatile memory IP technology we require for our extensive RFID product offering."

"Impinj's logic non-volatile memory IP product portfolio provides the perfect complement to our existing non-volatile memory product offering," said Brani Buric, VP of product marketing and strategic foundry relationships for Virage Logic. "Impinj's IP products include the popular Aeon family of embeddable cores, which provide rewriteable non-volatile memory technology in logic CMOS manufacturing. Virage Logic has enjoyed strong acceptance in the defense and security markets with its NOVeA embedded non-volatile memory product line, while Impinj has seen a strong complementary demand in high-volume consumer markets with their multi-time programmable, few-time programmable and high-voltage non-volatile memory products."

Buric added: "The combined product line establishes the industry's broadest logic non-volatile memory IP product portfolio ranging from 250nm to 65nm solutions, servicing markets ranging from high volume consumer and industrial to automotive and security conscious applications including military. We are committed to supporting both product lines and delivering on stated product roadmaps so that customers can continue to proceed with confidence with Virage Logic as their trusted IP partner."

Pagemill Partners served as financial advisor to Impinj.