Static current in IO for ultra-low power applications

An input/output (IO) circuit including: an IO driver circuit; an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection semiconductor switch with a first input configured to receive an ESD, a second input connected to an ESD rail, and a switch control input; an ESD trigger circuit connected to the switch control input, wherein the ESD trigger circuit is configured to produce a trigger signal to close the protection semiconductor switch when the ESD detection circuit detects an ESD; and a bias circuit configured to provide a back bias signal to an isolated well of the ESD protection semiconductor switch when IO circuit is in normal operation.