IMRA and NRL agree to patent licensing terms

ANN ARBOR, MI, June 29, 2006 —

IMRA America Inc. and Naval Research Laboratories (NRL), located in Washington DC, have signed an agreement entitling IMRA to exclusive rights to market, license and enforce an NRL-owned patent, U.S. 6,496,301 entitled “Helical Fiber Amplifier.” With this agreement, IMRA will license the rights to use this patent and share proceeds with NRL. This patent, along with others owned by IMRA, are key in the current and future development of high power fiber lasers. This technology is important in welding and marking applications as well as other high-growth market areas for fiber lasers.

Takashi Omitsu, President of IMRA, commenting on the agreement, said,“IMRA is delighted that it is able to continue to strengthen its intellectual property portfolio for fiber lasers, while building strong relationships with key innovators in this technical field. We believe our intellectual property strengths will aid those building successful businesses in active fiber optic devices.”

About IMRA America, Inc. Founded in 1990, IMRA America, Inc., headquartered in Ann Arbor, Mich., is a global-acting company dedicated to being the leader in the development of ultrafast fiber laser technologies for commercial applications. IMRA’s turnkey fiber lasers with their compact size, high stability and maintenance-free operation, are ideal optical pulse sources for: material processing, semiconductor inspection and repair, homeland security, instrumentation, medical diagnostics and therapy, and telecommunications. They are based on IMRA’s proprietary fiber oscillator, fiber amplifier, and advanced pulse compressor technologies, documented in over 70 U.S. patents and patent applications and many more worldwide. In addition to delivering innovation through its products, IMRA America offers its technologies through patent and technology licensing. For information, visit www.imra.com or call (734) 930-2560.

For more information, please contact:
Dr. Michelle Stock
Marketing Manager

IMRA America, Inc.
1044 Woodridge Avenue
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
Phone: (734) 930-2560
Fax: (734) 930-9957
e-mail: lasers@imra.com