Table:
|  | Year Ended December 31, | Year Ended December 31, | Year Ended December 31, |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
|  | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|  | (In millions) | (In millions) | (In millions) |
| Research and development funding | $132 | $52 | $65 |
| Phase-out and start-up costs | (38) | (1) | (8) |
| Exchange gain (loss), net | — | 4 | 4 |
| Patent costs | (1) | (8) | (9) |
| Gain on sale of businesses and non-current assets | 7 | 8 | 4 |
| Other, net | 3 | (2) | (1) |
| Other income and expenses, net | $103 | $53 | $55 |
| As percentage of net revenues | 1.1% | 0.5% | 0.7% |
Paragraphs:
In 2019 we recognized other income, net of expenses, of $103 million, increasing compared to $53 million in 2018, mainly benefitting from the grants associated with the programs part of the European Commission IPCEI in Italy and in France, partially offset by a higher level of start-up costs associated with the production ramp up of the 200 mm fab recently acquired from Micron Technology Inc. in Singapore.
In 2018 we recognized other income, net of expenses, of $53 million, slightly decreasing compared to $55 million in 2017, mainly due to lower level of R&D grants.
Question:
What led to increase in other income, net of expenses in 2019?
Answer: the grants associated with the programs part of the European Commission IPCEI in Italy and in France, partially offset by a higher level of start-up costs associated with the production ramp up of the 200 mm fab recently acquired from Micron Technology Inc. in Singapore.