Ciena acquires TeraXion's high-speed Photonics Components for $32m

21 Jan 2016

Deal includes TeraXion's high-speed indium phosphide and silicon photonics technologies and intellectual property.

Ciena and TeraXion have announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement where Ciena will acquire TeraXion's High-Speed Photonics Components (HSPC) assets for approximately $CA 46.6 million (USD $32 million) in cash. The asset purchase includes TeraXion's high-speed indium phosphide and silicon photonics technologies as well as critical underlying intellectual property.

These technologies are key enablers of Ciena's industry-leading WaveLogic coherent optical chipsets, which make the optical layer of next-generation networks more intelligent and responsive to today's web-scale demands.

“This transaction is a clear testimonial of the significant value we have created with our HSPC products and technologies, and a great outcome for our employees and shareholders,” said Alain-Jacques Simard, TeraXion's President and CEO. “Being part of Ciena will provide the scale needed to accelerate the development of our HSPC technologies and will enable the continued development of highly differentiated solutions for Ciena's customers.”

'Greater programmability'

"The TeraXion HSPC assets advance Ciena's established position in high-speed optics and enhance our ability to develop differentiated solutions that enable service providers to scale their networks with greater programmability,” said Scott McFeely, Senior VP, Networking Platforms at Ciena. “This acquisition also reinforces our commitment to serving as a growth and innovation engine in Canada, which is home to our largest employee base and more than 50 percent of our global research and development team.”

With this acquisition, Ciena said it would maintain critical design and innovation resources in Québec City, Canada, and bolster its R&D centre of excellence in Ottawa. "This is a new chapter for our HSPC activities and clearly an exciting opportunity for our employees to advance our technology set as part of the vision of an industry leader like Ciena,” said Martin Guy, TeraXion's current Chief Technology Officer, who will join the Packet Optical Platforms organization at Ciena and serve as the company's site leader in Québec City.

“As part of Ciena, the HSPC team will be in a position to optimise its high speed photonic solutions specifically for use in Ciena's WaveLogic coherent platform, providing significant benefits,” said Ian Woods, TeraXion's current HSPC Business Unit leader, who will also be joining the Packet Optical Platforms organisation at Ciena.

Following this transaction, TeraXion will continue to operate its fiber-optic communication, fiber lasers and optical sensing applications business, with 120 employees remaining with TeraXion in Québec City. Mr. Simard commented: "We will keep supporting our existing customers with the same dedication to quality they have come to expect from TeraXion over the years while continuing to address future business opportunities in the markets we serve."