IMEC LAUNCHES NEW START-UP PEPRIC

Leuven, Belgium – April 3, 2009 – IMEC has announced the start of PEPRIC
NV, a new company that will develop and commercialize molecular and
functional imaging technology based on magnetic nanoparticles. Pepric’s
technology addresses pharmaceutical applications for drug development and
pre-clinical studies.

The demand for targeted healthcare, specifically targeted to the problem
zone in the body, increases as this can reduce the side effects to a
minimum. With its Human++ program, IMEC aims to find solutions for these
growing healthcare needs by combining nanoelectronics and biotechnology.
One of the R&D activities of the Human++ program focuses on technologies
for molecular and functional imaging, a young and dynamic market which is
in full expansion. IMEC studies the functionalization and in-vivo detection
of nano-particles targeted to selective zones in the body where they
specifically attach to well-determined cells or molecules.

The new start-up Pepric aims at developing a technology for in-vivo
visualization of magnetic nanoparticles based on magnetic resonance.
Visualized nanoparticles that are selectively attached to a certain target
molecule enable the direct follow-up of biological processes in which the
target molecule is involved, allowing real-time study of the effect of
medicines on body parameters.

The unique advantages of direct imaging of magnetic nanoparticles are the
high sensitivity and the sharp time resolution enabling real-time
visualization. Moreover, magnetic labels are stable, in contrast to
radioisotopes used in PET en SPECT scanning. Therefore, specialized
facilities for production and manipulation of magnetic nanoparticles are
not required. Another advantage of magnetic nanoparticles is the stability
of the magnetic labels allowing long-term in-vivo observation of biological
processes, essential for a thorough understanding of slow biochemical
processes.

Stephanie Teughels, CEO of Pepric NV: “In this initial phase of Pepric, we
will concentrate on the development of the technology to demonstrate its
market potential. That is essential to attract venture capital which is
needed to further develop Pepric. The launch of a first commercial
application is expected within 3 to 5 years.”

Ludo Deferm, Executive Vice President Business Development at IMEC:
“Nanotechnology and nanoelectronics may prove useful in the development of
more accurate and targeted tools for health diagnosis and therapy and a
more efficient and cheaper healthcare. We are therefore proud to launch a
new start-up that will convert our generic nanoelectronics research into a
concrete product that may contribute to the development of targeted drugs.”

The news release can be downloaded at:
http://www2.imec.be/imec_com/imec-launches-new-start-up-pepric.php?year=200
9&month=04

About IMEC
IMEC is a world-leading independent research center in nanoelectronics and
nanotechnology. IMEC vzw Leuven, Belgium, has a sister company in the
Netherlands, IMEC-NL, offices in the US, China and Taiwan, and
representatives in Japan. Its staff of more than 1650 people includes about
600 industrial residents and guest researchers. In 2008, its revenue (P&L)
was estimated to EUR 264 million.

IMEC’s More Moore research aims at semiconductor scaling towards sub-32nm
nodes. With its More than Moore research, IMEC looks into technologies for
nomadic embedded systems, wireless autonomous transducer solutions,
biomedical electronics, photovoltaics, organic electronics and GaN power
electronics.

IMEC’s research bridges the gap between fundamental research at
universities and technology development in industry. Its unique balance of
processing and system know-how, intellectual property portfolio,
state-of-the-art infrastructure and its strong network worldwide position
IMEC as a key partner for shaping technologies for future systems.
Further information on IMEC can be found at www.imec.be.

Contacts:
IMEC: Katrien Marent, Director of External Communications, T: +32 16 28 18
80, GSM: +32 474 30 28 66, katrien.marent {at} imec(.)be

Barbara Kalkis, Maestro Marketing & PR, T: +1 408 996 9975,
kkalkis {at} compuserve(.)com