March 29, 2007 – STMicroelectronics and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (ICT) will collaborate to develop and commercialize processors based on Loongson-2E IP, CPUs based on a 90nm process with superscalar 64-bit architectures compatible with MIPS architecture that are now sampling to customers.

Under the deal, ICT is responsible for the architecture and the design of the processors, while ST supplies the technology process, manufacturing and sales (ST also has signed a license with MIPS Technology Inc.). The firms will jointly market the chips in China, with ST retaining rights to manufacture and sell the processors worldwide for five years.

“The licensing by a foreign company of the Loongson 2E IP proves that ICT has successfully placed China on the world’s technology competitive stage,” said ICT director Li Guo Jie, in a statement. “Through the cooperation with ST, the commercialization of this technology is shortened with great market potential.”