Proteome Systems and IBM announce first installation of ProteomIQ in Japan

Japan, Wednesday, May 7 2003: Proteome Systems and IBM today announced the first Japanese installation of ProteomIQ* into the newly launched Iberica-Kurume Translational Research Laboratories. Developed by Proteome Systems and jointly marketed with IBM, ProteomIQ is a comprehensive technology platform designed to accelerate proteomics research and biological discovery.

Dr Keith Williams, CEO, Proteome Systems, said, “This is an exciting moment for Proteome Systems. This installation closely follows the implementation of ProteomIQ into Charles River Proteomics Services in Worcester, Massachusetts. We are delighted that ProteomIQ has been chosen as the proteomics technology platform to drive this new initiative of Iberica and Kurume University in pharmacoproteomics and pharmacokinetics. A defining feature of ProteomIQ is its broad application and scalability, and this installation confirms ProteomIQ as a solution for drug discovery and development as well as large contract research organisations. The modular design of ProteomIQ allows users to add analytical instrumentation, compute power and new technology at will, to increase research capacity as required.”

Kohichi Kajitani, Life Sciences Manager, IBM Japan, said, “Proteomics is an increasingly important contributor to new drug development and is a field where IBM is committed to investing in product innovation and working with world-class partners like Proteome Systems. The IBM infrastructure in the Iberica-Kurume Translational Research Laboratories will provide a robust and scalable capacity to store, process and analyse massive quantities of proteomic data. Proteome Systems' immense breadth and depth of knowledge in proteomics, embodied in their ProteomIQ integrated platform, will enable researchers in the Iberica-Kurume Translational Research Laboratories to successfully address their research problems in pharmacoproteomics and pharmacokinetics.”

The ProteomIQ platform integrates award-winning technology to deliver a high resolution solution to the complexities of proteomics. It includes Proteome Systems newly released IsoelectrIQ2* and ElectrophoretIQ3* protein separation technology and the Xcise gel processing robot developed in partnership with Shimadzu-Biotech. The Xcise was recently awarded one of the Top Ten New Products for 2002 by the Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, Japan’s premier business publication.

ProteomIQ also integrates the Shimadzu-Biotech Axima* CFR mass spectrometer, which embodies Nobel-Prize winning technology from Shimadzu Corporation’s Koichi Tanaka. This instrumentation works seamlessly with an IT infrastructure that combines Proteome Systems’ web-based BioinformatIQ* software with IBM enterprise-level DB2 Universal Database, Tivoli storage and access management software, pSeries servers and scalable storage, to make ProteomIQ a powerful platform enabling high throughput proteomics.

Toshi Ohashi, CEO of Proteome Systems Japan, said, “This first installation of ProteomIQ in Japan marks an important milestone for Proteome Systems. The integration, cross-platform validation and training provided with ProteomIQ will help researchers in the Iberica-Kurume Translational Research Laboratories to quickly adopt proteomics and successfully apply the technology to their investigations on drug effects and metabolism.”

Proteome Systems and IBM will showcase ProteomIQ at the Second International Bio Expo to be held in Japan, May 14 - 16, at Tokyo BigSight. http://www.reedexpo.co.jp/bio/english/

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About Proteome Systems
Proteome Systems is a leading proteomics technology, diagnostics and discovery company. With its technology partners, Proteome Systems has developed and commercialised a comprehensive solution for high throughput proteomics, which is available as a total solutions package, ProteomIQ*. These technologies, integrated by a proprietary and sophisticated bioinformatics system, BioinformatIQ, are being marketed as part of a global strategic alliance with IBM. ProteomIQ is implemented in Proteome Systems discovery programs in the areas of cystic fibrosis, cancer, infectious disease and aging. Proteome Systems has R&D and manufacturing
facilities in Sydney, Australia and Boston, USA and a joint venture (Proteome Systems Japan) with Itochu Corporation in Tokyo, Japan. Proteome Systems recently formed a joint venture with Charles River Laboratories, Charles River Proteomics Services Inc., Worcester, USA to provide contract services in proteomics. For more information on Proteome Systems, visit www.proteomesystems.com

About IBM Life Sciences
IBM Life Sciences brings together IBM resources -- from research and e-business expertise to data and storage management and high-performance computing -- to deliver new solutions to the life sciences market, including biotechnology, genomic, e-health, pharmaceutical and agribusiness companies. For more information on IBM Life Sciences, visit www.ibm.com/lifesciences.

* IsoelectrIQ2, ElectrophoretIQ3, BioinformatIQ and ProteomIQ are trademarks of Proteome Systems