Agilent Invests in Components Startup

PALO ALTO, Calif. -- Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) announced today that its Agilent Ventures (AV) unit has invested in Lambda Crossing Ltd., an Israel-based developer of next-generation silicon-based optical components for advanced communications systems. The amount of the Agilent investment was not disclosed. The AV investment is part of a second round of funding, led by London-based investment firm Young Associates, that raised $13 million for Lambda Crossing. Founded in 1999, Lambda Crossing uses proprietary planar lightwave circuit components to design a host of next-generation optical components including dynamic optical add/drop multiplexers, optical channel monitors and wavelength equalizers. These components increase the functionality and intelligence of the optical layer in communications systems. The Lambda Crossing solutions are designed to scale up networks for increased bandwidth in preparation of tomorrow's "all optical" communications. "This new investment is evidence of Agilent's continued strong commitment to invest in vibrant and innovative early-stage companies despite the current economic downturn," said Maximilian Schroeck, managing director of Agilent Ventures. "Agilent Ventures has become a powerful strategic business tool that fuels the company's aggressive growth goals through early access to relevant technological innovations. Agilent Labs, our central research arm, will work together with Lambda Crossing to evaluate their PLC-based optical subsystems." Agilent Technologies Inc. Lambda Crossing Ltd.