NEXT Biometrics Selects Taiwanese Display Partner to Co-Develop Full-Screen Biometric Solution and announces shareholder financing solution

14 Jan 2026 08:50 CET

Oslo, 14 January 2026 - NEXT Biometrics, the world leader in advanced
high-security fingerprint sensor technology, has finalized an extensive process
to select a display partner for the development of Anywhere-on-display
authentication and our new product line NEXT FAP20 Basalt L1 Slim, which we
received an initial order from an existing distributor on December 22nd.

NEXT and Giantplus Technology Co., Ltd., a renowned Taiwanese company, will
co-develop the first prototype of NEXT’s full-screen biometric authentication
technology. This endorsement of NEXT’s technology and strategy marks the
project’s latest product development milestone, following the recent patent
approval from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in November
last year.

Giantplus specializes in high-quality, reliable and customizable small and
medium sized displays. Both are now conducting R&D and technical product
development initiatives with a view to showcasing the prototype at Mobile World
Congress 2027.

The premium smartphone market comprised 25% of the total market in 2024 and, in
H1 2025, unit sales grew by 8% year on year, reaching the highest-ever mark for
a first half (Counterpoint Research).

“Anywhere-on-display authentication is a long-sought-after innovation and, with
our patent approval secured, finding a trusted and reputable partner to support
R&D and manufacture was our top priority,” comments Ulf Ritsvall, Chief
Executive Officer, NEXT Biometrics. “Following a rigorous selection process, we
have found Giantplus, a partner that shares our vision and together we can take
the next step. Significant interest is already being generated from around the
industry, and we look forward to demonstrating this solution in Barcelona next
year.”

NEXT has raised a long-term shareholder loan to fund this rapid progress. The
shareholder loan is in the amount of approximately NOK 10 million, of which NOK
9 million has been underwritten by certain existing shareholders, including
Valset Invest AS, Six-Seven AS, HAAS AS and Edgewater AS. The Loan shall be
unsecured and rank pari passu with the other unsecured debt of NEXT (the
Borrower).

The key terms of the shareholder loan:
-Maturity of 12 months from disbursement date

-The interest payment shall be made in kind and the interest rate is 20%. The
interest payment shall be made by the issuance of new shares in NEXT at a
subscription price of NOK 1.60

- The Borrower may carry out a private placement on or prior to the maturity
date to finance repayment of the Loan. The Lenders shall have a pre-emptive
right to participate in the private placement and to be allocated a total number
of shares equal to the Loan Amount divided by the subscription price determined
for the purpose of the private placement, provided that the maximum subscription
price payable by the Lenders for an amount equal to their participation in the
Loan, shall in no event be higher than NOK 2.1 per share.

-In the event the trading price of the Borrower's shares is lower than NOK 1.1
as of the date of the private placement or the subscription in the private
placement is NOK 1.1 per share or lower, the Lenders shall participate in the
private placement by subscribing for its individual loan amounts and being
allotted new shares at a subscription price of NOK 1.1 per share. The
subscription amount for new shares allocated to Lenders in the private placement
shall be set off against the Borrower's obligation to repay the Loan on a NOK
for NOK basis.

The information in this stock exchange announcement is considered to be inside
information pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and is published in
accordance with section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. This stock
exchange announcement was published by Eirik Underthun, CFO at NEXT Biometrics
Group ASA, on 14 January 2026, at 08:45 hours (CET).

About NEXT Biometrics
NEXT Biometrics is a pioneer of high-security biometric authentication, enabling
users to live simpler, safer lives.

NEXT Biometrics was founded on the belief that strong authentication and
identification can be secure, seamless and cost effective for governments and
businesses with Active Thermal® technology. More than 25 years later, NEXT has
retained its Norwegian heritage and grown to serve customers globally.

Today, our solutions are used by billions of users each year across 10+ national
ID and local programs, 150.000+ POS terminals, 25+ laptop and tablet models from
tier-1 OEMs, and physical and logical access control implementations. Through
state-of-the-art technology, deep industry expertise and close collaboration
with partners for seamless integration, Active Thermal® biometrics can make life
simpler and safer for everyone.

For more information, visit NEXT Biometrics, read our blog and follow us on
LinkedIn. NEXT Biometrics is listed on Euronext (NEXT.OL).

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