VeriSilicon Announces Agreement with IBM to Dramatically Reduce Design Time for PowerPC Based Products

Deal to expand PowerPC position in emerging markets as well as system offering around microprocessor

SHANGHAI, CHINA - May 9, 2007 -VeriSilicon Holdings Co., Ltd. (VeriSilicon), a leading world class ASIC design foundry and semiconductor IP provider, today announced an agreement with IBM (NYSE: IBM) to offer the PowerPC® 405 and 440 microprocessors.  The deal enables silicon manufacturers interested in IBM's processor offerings to work with VeriSilicon for a one-stop-shop solution in terms of SoC IP, processor software, silicon design services, and manufacturing needs.  

Under the terms of the agreement, VeriSilicon will be able to directly provide customers the IBM's PowerPC 405 and 440 microprocessors.

VeriSilicon is a fabless ASIC design foundry that provides best-in-class semiconductor IP, ASIC design and turnkey service to help SoC customers go from chip specification to production.  In addition to accessing the PowerPC 405 and 440 microprocessors, customers can choose from a rich assortment of IP products and services to dramatically reduce development times and project costs.  For example, the V.Blox IP Library from VeriSilicon includes complementary processor and DSP offerings as well high speed PHYs, analog and mixed-signal functional blocks.

VeriSilicon also provides market-ready application SoC platforms for a number of vertical spaces, such as portable multimedia and voice, which completely addresses both the hardware and software needs for an IC manufacturer.

"Power Architecture-based processors offer the broadest market penetration of any microprocessors in the industry today," said Richard Busch, Director of ASIC Products, PowerPC Licensing and Cores, IBM Global Engineering Solutions. "VeriSilicon's proven track record and ability to provide platform solutions around the Power Architecture will enable customers to get to market quicker with best-in-class silicon products."

"The IBM PowerPC microprocessors are ideal solutions for a number of markets that we and our customers engage in," said Dr. Wayne Dai, President & CEO of VeriSilicon.  "While VeriSilicon already offers a number of processor offerings, such as ZSP and ARM, our relationship with IBM represent our commitment to work with technology-leaders to provide customers the right solution for their application.  When coupled with our other products and services, VeriSilicon uniquely enables customers with ultra-competitive solutions to meet their most demanding product requirements."       

About VeriSilicon®

VeriSilicon Holdings Co., Ltd. is a leading world class ASIC design foundry providing libraries, semiconductor IPs, design and turnkey manufacturing services with multi-fab capability and on process technologies down to 90nm. VeriSilicon has achieved first silicon success and entered volume production of many complex, multi-million gates SoCs using the leading wafer foundries in APAC and China. VeriSilicon has operations in US, China, Taiwan, Japan, France, and Korea.
Over 500 customers worldwide have licensed VeriSilicon IPs and Standard Design Platforms. In 2005, VeriSilicon was ranked number three in Deloitte Technology Fast 50 China, the top 50 fastest-growing technology companies in China and number six in Deloitte Fast 500 Asia Pacific, the top 500 fastest-growing technology companies in Asia Pacific. VeriSilicon was also named one of the Red Herring 100 Private Companies of Asia, and selected as one of the EE Times 60 Emerging Startups. More information is available at www.verisilicon.com.