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Spin Transfer Technologies Raises $70 Million to Accelerate Commercialization of the Company's Innovative Computer Memory TechnologyFREMONT, Calif. --(Business Wire)-- Spin Transfer Technologies, Inc. (STT), a leading developer of breakthrough Orthogonal Spin Transfer Magneto-Resistive Random Access Memory technology (OST-MRAM™), today announced that it has successfully raised $70 million to accelerate commercial development. STT's patented OST-MRAM technology is a disruptive innovation in the field of spin-transfer-based MRAM devices by enabling faster switching speeds, lower power operation, reduced manufactured device cost and scalability to smaller lithographic dimensions. OST-MRAM's application areas can potentially address large parts of the semiconductor market - in particular, the standalone memory markets and the embedded memory market in logic, microprocessors/microcontrollers and analog integrated circuits. STT believes that OST-MRAM has the potential to replace large segments of the Flash, SRAM and DRAM markets, which collectively had a combined estimated value of $60 billion a year worldwide in 2013. "We are delighted to announce a successful funding round. These proceeds will enable STT to accelerate the development and commercialization of our proprietary, next-generation technology, putting us in an excellent position to significantly impact the sizeable market segments that the company aims to serve," said Barry Hoberman, Chief Executive Officer of STT. The company recently completed its initial phase of integration of magnetic and CMOS wafer technologies, an important milestone that demonstrates the technology's capability to operate in memory arrays with existing fabrication processing standards in the industry. The functional memory array demonstration lifted investor enthusiasm for the current financing, the proceeds of which will be used to procure capital equipment and other manufacturing-related infrastructure; strengthen the company's product development, sales and operations teams; secure outsourced services; and expand the intellectual property portfolio. Woodford Investment Management led this round of financing, demonstrating its continued support for the commercialization model of academic research pioneered in the U.S. by Allied Minds LSE: ALM), STT's parent holding company. In addition, Invesco Asset Management increased its stake and maintains its position as the largest institutional investor in the Fremont, California-based company. SandAire, a private wealth investment fund in London, joined the investor group with its participation in the financing. "Allied Minds is extremely pleased with the technical and commercial progress of STT to date. We believe this technology has the potential to revolutionize the field of computer memory, and we are gratified by the strong commitment from world-class institutional investors who are participating in this funding round," said Chris Silva, Chief Executive Officer of Allied Minds. STT's technology was originally developed from research conducted in the laboratory of Professor Andrew Kent at New York University. The company was formed and capitalized by Boston-based Allied Minds in 2007, and first attracted direct institutional investment in 2012 in a financing led by Invesco. More information about the company can be found at www.spintransfer.com. About Spin Transfer Technologies Spin Transfer Technologies, Inc. was established by Allied Minds and New York University to develop and commercialize its Orthogonal Spin Transfer Magneto-Resistive Random Access Memory technology, OST-MRAM™. The technology, invented by Professor Andrew Kent, is a disruptive innovation in the field of spin-transfer-based MRAM devices, enabling faster switching times, lower power operation, lower manufactured device cost, and scalability to smaller lithographic dimensions. For more information, visit www.spintransfer.com. About Allied Minds Allied Minds plc (LSE: ALM) is an innovative U.S. science and technology development and commercialization company. Operating since 2006, Allied Minds forms, funds, manages and builds products and businesses based on innovative technologies developed at leading U.S. universities and federal research institutions. Allied Minds serves as a diversified holding company that supports its businesses and product development with capital, central management and shared services. More information about the Boston-based company can be found at www.alliedminds.com. Allied Minds Forward-Looking Statement This press release contain statements that are or may be forward-looking statements, including statements that relate to the company's future prospects, developments and strategies. The forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance and achievements to differ materially from current expectations, including, but not limited to, those risk and uncertainties described in the risk factors included in the company's regulatory filings. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions regarding the present and future business strategies of the company and the environment in which it will operate in the future. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as at the date of this press release. Except as required by law, regulatory requirement, the Listing Rules and the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, neither the company nor any other party intends to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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