The Scripps Research Institute adopts MDL informatics applications to support research for NIH program

San Leandro, CA and Palm Beach County, FL, December 16, 2005 —The Scripps Research Institute has selected a package of informatics applications from Elsevier MDL to power its research efforts as one of nine institutions chosen to participate in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Molecular Libraries Screening Centers Network (MLSCN). Researchers at the Palm Beach County, Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute will use MDL applications to support high-throughput molecular screening as part of a nationwide collaborative project aimed at accelerating medical discovery.

The Scripps Research Institute will use high-throughput and high-content screening techniques to evaluate small molecules against various biological targets for suitability in developing new treatments for human diseases. While screening and evaluating pharmacokinetic and toxicological properties, Scripps researchers will utilize a suite of MDL applications, including MDL® Assay Explorer® biological data management system, MDL® ChemBio registration system and MDL® Plate Manager sample and plate management system to capture and analyze the flood of data that comes from those studies.

“Our goal is to identify molecular entities or molecular classes that may have potential benefit for the development of therapeutics by the private sector,” said Nick Tsinoremas, Senior Director of Informatics and co-principal investigator for the Scripps Florida screening center. “MDL applications give us a full range of proven informatics capabilities to manage the complex screening we’ll employ in this research.”

Elsevier MDL, the leading informatics, database and workflow solution provider for life sciences R&D, offers flexible MDL Select packages of attractively priced informatics and experiment management tools that enable smaller or start-up biopharma companies to manage entire discovery workflows using the same scalable discovery solutions employed by global organizations.

“The suite of MDL applications, selected by Scripps Institute will enable scientists to capture biological and chemical information and integrate it to visualize, analyze and report on experimental data in an advanced collaborative environment,” said Jean Colombel, Senior Vice President, Sales and Services, Elsevier MDL. “We’re pleased that Elsevier MDL is the principal partner in research informatics for the Scripps Institute Molecular Screening Center and that MDL technology will contribute to the important efforts of the Molecular Library Screening Network.”

The MLSCN is part of the NIH Roadmap, a series of initiatives designed to pursue biomedical research and catalyze changes that will transform new scientific knowledge into tangible benefits for public health. The Scripps Research Institute Screening Center is funded by a grant from the NIH. Information generated by the screening centers will be made available to the public through a database maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. For more information on MDL applications, visit www.mdl.com. To learn about The Scripps Research Institute, visit www.scripps.edu.

About Elsevier MDL
Elsevier MDL provides informatics, database and workflow solutions that accelerate successful life sciences R&D by improving the speed and quality of scientists’ decision making. Researchers around the world depend on Elsevier MDL for innovative and reliable discovery informatics software solutions and services augmented by 400 Elsevier chemistry and life sciences journals and related products. For more information, visit www.mdl.com. Elsevier is a world-leading publisher of scientific, technical and medical information products and services. For more information, visit www.elsevier.com.

Elsevier is part of Reed Elsevier Group plc, a world-leading publisher and information provider. Reed Elsevier’s ticker symbols are REN (Euronext Amsterdam), REL (London Stock Exchange), RUK and ENL (New York Stock Exchange). For more information, visit www.reedelsevier.com.

About The Scripps Research Institute
The Scripps Research Institute, headquartered in La Jolla, California, is one of the world’s largest independent, non-profit biomedical research organizations. It stands at the forefront of basic biomedical science that seeks to comprehend the most fundamental processes of life. Scripps Research is internationally recognized for its research into immunology, molecular and cellular biology, chemistry, neurosciences, autoimmune, cardiovascular, and infectious diseases, and synthetic vaccine development. Established in its current configuration in 1961, it employs approximately 3,000 scientists, postdoctoral fellows, scientific and other technicians, doctoral degree graduate students, and administrative and technical support personnel.

Scripps Florida, a 364,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art biomedical research facility, is to be built in Palm Beach County. The facility will focus on basic biomedical science, drug discovery, and technology development. Palm Beach County and the State of Florida have provided start-up economic packages for development, building, staffing, and equipping the campus. Scripps Florida now operates with approximately 150 scientists, technicians, and administrative staff at 40,000 square-foot lab facilities on the Florida Atlantic University campus in Jupiter.

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