MOU with Swansea University (access to Supercomputer “Blue C”)

MOU with Swansea University (access to Supercomputer “Blue C”)

Physiomics plc (AIM: PYC), the Oxford, UK based systems biology company, is pleased to announce that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (‘MOU’) with the Institute of Life Science of Swansea University (‘ILS’), which will provide mutual benefits.

Under the terms of the MOU, Physiomics will have access to the Supercomputer “Blue C”, one of the most powerful computers in the world dedicated to Life Science and is the result of a collaboration between the University, the Welsh Assembly Government and computer giant IBM. This will reinforce Physiomics’ modelling framework and help to address the ever increasing computing requirements in the field of System Biology.

Collaborative research programs will be set up with the oncology research groups at the ILS, with the first collaboration already agreed with the group of Dr Shareen Doak. These programs will focus on the effect of anticancer drugs and Physiomics will contribute with its modelling expertise in biological systems performing simulations of mutual interest.

Dr Christophe Chassagnole, COO of Physiomics, said:

‘Physiomics has continued to develop its technology to the point where more powerful computer facilities were required. The team has already run some pilot studies using the ILS ‘Blue C’ supercomputer and have demonstrated its potential to reduce tasks that would take many hours to complete, to just a couple of minutes. As well the research collaborations with the ILS’ research teams will give us access to invaluable expertise and experimental data in the oncology field’.

David Lewis, Director of the Blue C facility at Swansea University’s ILS, said:

‘We are delighted to enter a very constructive Collaborative Research agreement with Physiomics. Our ILS project is funded (in part) by European Union Structural Funds, which are focussed on promoting Economic Development in West Wales and the Valleys. Swansea University’s School of Medicine, and the Institute of Life Science, plays a key role: creating the core of a ‘Life Sciences cluster’ of Academic Research, together with scientific collaborations with high-tech companies (both small and large) in this field. We see our agreement with Physiomics as being a very visible proof-point of our ability to reach out into the private sector, to find partners and collaborators, together with whom we can push forward the frontiers of medical science. Supercomputing plays a key role, and we look forward to working closely with Physiomics’ scientists.