July 2, 2004 – AIXTRON AG, Aachen, Germany, and Genus Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, announced today that they are planning to merge, according to Genus. AIXTRON plans to acquire all outstanding Genus shares in a stock-for-stock transaction.

Following the completion of the transaction, AIXTRON’s shareholders will hold approximately 74 percent and Genus’ shareholders approximately 26 percent of the merged company.

The transaction has been approved by the management board and supervisory board of AIXTRON and the board of directors of Genus. The transaction is subject to approval by the shareholders of both companies and to any necessary regulatory clearance in the U.S., and is expected to close by year-end.

The two companies reported total 2003 revenues of approximately euro 142 million ($160 million), a combined gross profit of approximately euro 32 million ($36 million) and cash and cash equivalents of approximately euro 78 million ($99 million).

Paul Hyland will remain president and CEO of AIXTRON. William W. R. Elder, chairman and CEO of Genus, will join the AIXTRON management board.

AIXTRON and Genus employ over 550 employees worldwide.

AIXTRON supplies MOCVD (metal-organic chemical vapor deposition) products for the production of ultra-high brightness light emitting diodes, high frequency chips and lasers.

Genus supplies ALD (atomic layer deposition) technology, which is required in the production of advanced semiconductors and hard disk drives.