ICOS Vision Systems and IMEC Collaborate on 3D Packaging Metrology

ICOS Vision Systems Corporation NV (Nasdaq and Euronext:
IVIS), a leading supplier of inspection solutions for the
semiconductor industry and IMEC, a world-leading independent research
center in nanoelectronics and nanotechnology, have agreed to work
together under a two-year Joint Exploration and Development Program
(JEDP), in the field of inspection and metrology for three dimensional
(3D) packaging. According to market analysts, the market for 3D
packaging will grow rapidly over the next years, driven by the quest
for smaller and higher performance Integrated Circuits (IC's).
   Research will be performed at the IMEC laboratories and ICOS will
provide technology and equipment for inspection and metrology. The
joint research program will concentrate on the development and
optimization of several 3D packaging processes for IC's, including
Wafer Level Packaging (WLP), flip chip, systems-in-a-package (SiP) and
micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) and on the optimization of the
3D metrology methods for these applications. The program will be
closely connected to IMEC's industrial affiliation program (IIAP) on
3D stacked IC's. The IIAP program brings together the researchers of
IMEC and of world-leading suppliers of IC's, to jointly develop the
technologies of future generation products.
   "We are impressed with IMEC's research programs on semiconductor
packaging and are delighted to join their international consortium,"
said Gust Smeyers, ICOS' Senior Vice President for Research and
Development. "We look forward to working together with IMEC and the
largest IC manufacturers around the world on the development of
advanced 3D packaging processes. This program underscores our
technical leadership in our field and our unrelenting commitment to
invest in the technologies and products of the future."
   "Packaging is becoming an increasingly important part of
semiconductor manufacturing and we are expanding our research efforts
in the packaging field, including a large research program on 3D
packaging," said Gilbert Declerck, CEO of IMEC. "We are delighted to
work with ICOS on the advancements of the 3D packaging processes and
the metrology tools that are needed."

   About ICOS Vision Systems

   ICOS designs and manufactures inspection equipment for the
semiconductor packaging industry. It is a world-leading supplier of
equipment for the final visual control of chips before they are used
in various applications, such as PC's, cars or portable phones. ICOS'
systems perform two- and three-dimensional (2D and 3D) metrology and
inspection as part of the final visual quality control step in the
manufacturing of chips, wafers, flexible tapes for flat panel
displays, sockets, substrates and solar cells. Aside from its complete
systems, ICOS also offers inspection modules for integration in other
equipment.
   ICOS is headquartered in Leuven, Belgium and has R&D centers in
Belgium, Germany and Hong Kong and sales and support offices in Japan,
the USA, Singapore, Hong Kong and Korea and production facilities in
Belgium, Hong Kong and China.

   ICOS Vision Systems Corporation NV can be found on the World Wide
Web at www.ICOS.be

   About IMEC

   IMEC is a world-leading independent research center in
nanoelectronics and nanotechnology. Its research focuses on the next
generations of chips and systems, and on the enabling technologies for
ambient intelligence. IMEC's research bridges the gap between
fundamental research at universities and technology development in
industry. Its unique balance of processing and system know-how,
intellectual property portfolio, state-of-the-art infrastructure and
its strong network of companies, universities and research institutes
worldwide position IMEC as a key partner for shaping technologies for
future systems.
   As an expansion of its wireless autonomous microsystems research,
IMEC has created a legal entity in the Netherlands. Stichting IMEC
Nederland runs activities at the Holst Centre, an independent R&D
institute that develops generic technologies and technology platforms
for autonomous wireless transducer solutions and systems-in-foil.
   IMEC is headquartered in Leuven, Belgium, and has representatives
in the U.S., China and Japan. Its staff of more than 1450 people
includes more than 500 industrial residents and guest researchers. In
2005, its revenue was EUR 197 million. Further information on IMEC can
be found on www.imec.be.

   "Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995: Certain matters discussed in this press release,
such as the expected growth of the market for 3D packaging, the
intended results of the Joint Exploration and Development Program and
ICOS' product development plans and expectations regarding that
collaboration, are forward-looking statements. These statements are
subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those projected or
anticipated. Joint exploration and development programs involve
numerous risks, including difficulties associated with cooperation and
conflicts of interest among the parties. In addition, the technologies
and products developed through the collaboration, as well as the
anticipated market growth for 3D packaging, will be subject to the
significant risks and uncertainties generally applicable to ICOS
including: risks related to the evolution of the semiconductor and
semiconductor equipment markets, including the cyclical nature of
those markets and the uncertainty of market growth; the uncertainty of
new product development, including the risk that newly introduced
products may contain undetected errors or defects or otherwise not
perform as anticipated; budget overruns; project delays; rapid
technological change; competition; risks relating to intellectual
property protection and ownership and associated litigation; as well
as other risks set forth in ICOS' most recent annual report on form
20-F and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
ICOS cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any such
forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. ICOS
expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly
any updates or revisions to any such statements to reflect any change
in ICOS' expectations or any change in events, conditions or
circumstances on which any such statement is based.