ENGINEERING

SAN DIEGO, CA -- Structural GenomiX (SGX) today announced a multi-million dollar agreement with Compaq Computer Corporation (NYSE: CPQ) to develop SGX's high performance structural informatics systems. SGX will purchase a complete Compaq technology solution including Compaq AlphaServer(R) systems running Tru64(TM) UNIX(R), Compaq ProLiant(R) servers running Linux, StorageWorks(R) and services. Compaq's Alpha chip technology and leadership in building high performance computing systems will advance SGX's drug discovery efforts by increasing SGX's ability to run its high-throughput protein modeling, molecular dynamics and chemical docking programs on a genomic scale. As a leader in high performance computing for genomics and proteomics, Compaq was selected based on its ability to expand SGX's drug discovery efforts through its industry leading technology and experience in life sciences computing. The technology and services provided by Compaq will assist SGX and its partners in target identification and validation, lead selection and screening, and optimization of compounds for binding and selectivity, with the goal of improving drug efficacy as well as predicting and avoiding toxicity and negative side effects. As part of the agreement, Compaq will build and install a high performance computing system consisting initially of 200 Tru64 UNIX-based AlphaServer DS10L systems, two AlphaServer GS80 systems in a TruCluster, one AlphaServer ES40 system, and a 140-processor Linux-based Compaq ProLiant server cluster. SGX will also receive system upgrades, support services, and early access to new technologies, including access to the Intel(R) Itanium(TM) microprocessor architecture. "Compaq's technology and support will enhance our structural informatics capabilities, allowing us to model and compare more target structures and computationally explore more lead compounds than competing systems," said Tim Harris, Ph.D., SGX's President and CEO. "In the search for an IT partner, SGX selected an organization that has dedicated its efforts and resources to the life sciences field. I believe our relationship with Compaq in structural genomics computing is the foundation for a comprehensive understanding of protein structures and small molecule interactions and will rapidly scale up SGX's drug discovery process." "Compaq is pleased to be selected as Structural GenomiX's information technology provider to power their leading-edge structure based drug discovery efforts," said Bill Blake, Vice President of Compaq's High Performance Technical Computing Group. "SGX is an emerging player in the genome technology arena, and Compaq's IT solutions will assist SGX in significantly expanding their research capabilities and achieving their long-term business goals." For more information visit www.stromix.com or www.compaq.com