FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. -- JIRIS USA, a biometrics company and wholly owned subsidiary of Seoul, South Korea-based JIRIS Technologies, has taken up residence at the Fairfax County BioAccelerator business incubator.

JIRIS USA ( www.jiristech.com ) will base expansion into the North American market from its Fairfax County location close to Washington, D.C. to access federal customers and other clients. The company will launch its U.S. market entry using the services and resources of the BioAccelerator program that include corporate and business development consulting.

JIRIS USA products enable secure access to facilities and networks through a unique patented biometric software. JIRIS solutions incorporate a state-of-the-art iris recognition system that identifies and authenticates people accurately and in a timely and cost-effective way.

"This is an exciting announcement for the county. It represents the results of coordinated efforts with our overseas offices and our BioAccelerator management team to help innovative growth companies from around the world use Fairfax County as a gateway to the U.S. market," said Gerald L. Gordon, Ph.D., president and CEO of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority.

"We are very excited to have this assistance in entering the U.S. market. Fairfax County is an excellent location because it provides access to our markets and to federal decision makers," said Peter Nam, president of JIRIS USA. "Our iris authentication technology can address multiple markets in security, healthcare diagnostics as well as homeland defense. Being close to our customers will allow us to ensure quality customer support."

JIRIS USA is the third international company to locate in the BioAccelerator as a U.S. market entry strategy. The other two companies are UK-based ProImmune and Germany-based JPT Technologies. The FCEDA selected Fairfax County-based ANGLE Technology Group in 2003 to manage the BioAccelerator and provide business and corporate development services.

Business growth helps Fairfax County fund public services, such as the nation's top-rated school system, that contribute to the quality of life of its residents. Fairfax County offers businesses a state-of-the-art telecommunications infrastructure, access to domestic and international markets through Washington Dulles International Airport, and a well-educated workforce.