IDEX Biometrics and TMC collaborate to accelerate biometric smart card adoption

Oslo, Norway, 5 June 2019: IDEX Biometrics ASA, the leading provider of advanced fingerprint identification and authentication solutions, is pleased to announce that it is collaborating with Tongxin Microelectronics Co., Ltd (“TMC”), a major secure element vendor in China focusing on the smart card industry. TMC and IDEX will work closely to create a compatible biometric smart card solution for end-customer implementation.

TMC provides secure elements, which are crucial components used by payment card integrators. To achieve compatibility between the secure element and biometric sensor, two critical components in a biometric payment card, both companies will integrate IDEX’s sensor with TMC’s secure element for dual-interface solutions. This solution will support both match in the biometric MCU and match in the secure element, thus providing a higher level of security. The integration involves joint creation of native code in the secure element to manage and control IDEX’s sensor in the operating system of the secure element.

Stan Swearingen, CEO of IDEX Biometrics comments: “The demand for biometric smart cards is growing thanks to their increased security and convenience for end users. Therefore, it is critical for card manufacturers that the biometric solutions are compatible with the secure element in the card, known as the EMV chip. IDEX is delighted to have joined forces with TMC to ensure complete compatibility of our solutions”

Yimin Ding, Vice President at TMC adds: “Through the rapid adoption of sensors in smart phones people have become accustomed to biometric authentication. It is a very logical next step to introduce this usability and security in payment cards. The combined solution, with our secure element and IDEX’s fingerprint sensor which enables matching in the secure element, creates a very compelling value proposition; a simple and secure turn-key solution for customers. This reduces complexity and cost for the card manufacturers. We are excited about working with IDEX’s leading technology to ensure compatibility with our solutions and look forward to seeing the market accelerate through 2019 and beyond.”

About TMC
Tongxin Microelectronics Co., Ltd (TMC) is a fabless chip design company focusing on smart cards and related technologies. It provides chip solutions covering mobile communications, financial payment, identification, information security and IOT that are widely used in SIM cards, M2M devices, financial IC cards, mobile payment cards, social security cards, city cards, health cards, residence cards, SE, mPOS controller, USB-Keys, contactless readers, etc, serving the global market.

Established at the end of 2001, TMC has engaged in its own core technology’s R&D, carrying out continuous innovation, won the first prize of National Scientific Progress once and hundreds of proprietary technologies. TMC is a wholly subsidiary of Unigroup Guoxin Microelectronics Co., Ltd. (Stock Code: 002049, “GUOXIN MICRO” for short), which is controlled by Tsinghua Unigroup. GUOXIN MICRO is one of the largest IC design listed companies. As the leading brand of security chip, relaying on Tsinghua Unigroup’s capital strength and Tsinghua University’s talent as well as technology accumulation, the company has been constantly refreshing its leading technology advantages, and becomes the most reliable industry partner with its high-performance chip products and services, and steps forward to the forefront of smart security chip technology.

For further information contact:
Stuart Hunt, Head of Investor Relations & Communications
+44 (0)1276 534 632

About IDEX Biometrics
IDEX Biometrics (OSE: IDEX), is the leading provider of fingerprint identification technologies offering simple, secure and personal authentication for all. We help people make payments, prove their identity, gain access to information, unlock devices or gain admittance to buildings with the touch of a finger. We invent, engineer and commercialize these secure, yet incredibly user-friendly solutions. Our total addressable market represents a fast-growing multi-billion-unit opportunity.

For more information, visit www.idexbiometrics.com and follow @IDEXBiometrics

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

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