AlgoNomics selects Fujitsu Siemens Computers technology for next generation vaccine development

Fujitsu Siemens Computers' "hpcLine" compute cluster allows fast expansion of AlgoNomics' Epibase™ platform for vaccine discovery

Ghent, Belgium and Brussels, Belgium, 19 August 2002 - Belgium based drug discovery company AlgoNomics NV has deployed Fujitsu Siemens Computers technology to expand its vaccine discovery platform. AlgoNomics' research assists drug discovery companies in the design of vaccines reaching a broader population.

AlgoNomics' proprietary platform Epibase™ unveils those protein fragments (T-cell epitopes) that stimulate the immune system. By applying structural bioinformatics tools on specific receptors, novel, patentable peptides can be designed for application in vaccines that target large population groups.

A total of 98 processors and 74 gigabyte of RAM provide the required computing power to perform the complex biotechnical calculations needed for vaccine design.

In a reaction AlgoNomics' CEO, Dr. Ignace Lasters, said: "This hpcLine cluster has proven itself to be a powerful computing platform in our demanding technical environment, and allows the company to further reinforce its position in the vaccine discovery and antibody engineering market."

"Fujitsu Siemens Computers is very happy to have been selected as platform provider for this project. We are committed to providing the highest level of performance and reliability in all sectors and this contract allows us to have a major reference in Belgium in the biotech sector", comments Tony Berckmans, CEO Fujitsu Siemens Computers Belgium - Luxemburg.

AlgoNomics N.V., founded in 1999, is a Belgium-based drug discovery company with a strong focus on structural bioinformatics for vaccine development and lead discovery. AlgoNomics' protein analysis platform is to be applied on peptide and antibody leads. AlgoNomics' Epibase™ platform is focused on the design on efficient vaccines.

Fujitsu Siemens Computers is the leading European computer company. The company offers everything for enterprise computing, ranging from best-in-class Intel- and Unix-based servers to mainframes and enterprise storage solutions. It is also one of the leading providers of notebooks, workstations and PCs to business customers, and is the No. 1 supplier of computers for home users in Europe.

The hpcLine systems consist of compact rack-integrated Linux Clusters for scientific and technical applications in many fields of industry, research, and education