INDUSTRY

SALT LAKE CITY Linux Networx announced today that diaDexus, a developer of diagnostic and therapeutic products, is using a Linux Networx(TM) Evolocity(R) II (E2) cluster computing system to expedite the development of diagnostic products for cancer and cardiovascular disease. The E2 system has helped speed the rate of gene analysis for the development of future diagnostic products from weeks to hours, or by more than 20x compared to the large, multiprocessing RISC-based machine diaDexus used previously. Diagnostics help detect the presence of certain diseases so proper medical treatment can begin in the early stages of the disease. The Linux Networx system analyzes DNA and protein sequences to locate specific disease targets. The targets are then used to develop diagnostic products for diseases that are typically difficult to detect at an early stage, such as ovarian cancer. Using applications such as BLAST(R), BLAT and HMMER, the Linux Networx system allows diaDexus to evaluate public and private databases of gene data much faster than was ever possible before, allowing diaDexus to stay current with any new gene and genomic information. "Obtaining up-to-date information is critical to our discovery and development. The Linux Networx cluster helps us reduce the information processing time from weeks to hours, saving diaDexus significant costs and speeding up our R&D timelines," said Timothy Burcham, Ph.D., senior director of bioinformatics for diaDexus. "We knew we could trust Linux Networx to build a fast, reliable cluster solution because of their experience in the life sciences and demonstrated Linux cluster expertise." Linux clustering is a method of linking multiple computers together to form a unified and more powerful system. diaDexus' E2 system includes 32 Intel(R) Xeon(TM) processors, and Clusterworx(R) and ICE Box(TM) cluster management tools from Linux Networx. Linux Networx has built some of the world's fastest supercomputers, and currently has a system that ranks as the world's fastest Linux computer and also ranks the fifth fastest supercomputer ever built ( www.top500.org ).