SAN LEANDRO, California and BRUSSELS, Belgium—Oct 9, 2003—MDL Information Systems, Inc. (MDL) has released MDL® Core Interface 1.1, an upgraded version of its next-generation middleware technology for integrating scientific information and business processes. The new version includes substantial performance improvements while adding support for Sun Solaris(TM) 8 and 9 platforms and IBM WebSphere® 5.0.1 application servers, giving discovery organizations in the life sciences more compatible options to adopt the state-of-the-art system for improving discovery pipeline efficiency.

Core Interface is the middleware server of the new MDL® Isentris(TM) architecture platform. With its multi-tier framework and a set of core integration services, Core Interface enables discovery organizations to rapidly develop and deploy custom applications, and create integrated informatics environments to support scientists' research. The enhanced Core Interface 1.1 offers an opportunity for wider market adoption across diverse internal platforms.

"Major biopharmaceutical companies are increasingly adopting MDL® Core Interface and the Isentris technology," said Seth Pinsky, senior vice president and chief technical officer for MDL. "The open, flexible framework allows organizations to integrate a broad range of data and applications, providing customized informatics environments to support specialized workflows and help drug researchers save time, reduce costs, and make better decisions."

To protect companies' existing data and ensure an uninterrupted work environment, MDL offers seamless migration to Isentris from MDL® ISIS (Integrated Scientific Information System), the current industry-standard.

A wholly owned subsidiary of Elsevier, Inc., MDL is part of the Elsevier Life Sciences division. Over 1,000 life science companies supercharge their discovery engines with MDL software solutions to generate fresh ideas and make breakthrough discoveries. By synchronizing and streamlining the sharing and management of vital information and knowledge, MDL enables scientists to work more efficiently and invent drugs faster. MDL is headquartered in San Leandro, CA with offices worldwide.

Elsevier Life Sciences combines Elsevier's wide array of life science content products with MDL's extensive informatics, database, workflow, and decision support solutions. This unique combination enables Elsevier Life Sciences to bring unparalleled solutions to researchers, significantly advancing the efficient, cost-effective development of new medicines. Elsevier is a member of Reed Elsevier Group plc, a world-leading publisher and information provider (ticker symbols: REN [Euronext Amsterdam], REL [London Stock Exchange], RUK and ENL [New York Stock Exchange]). For more information, visit www.elsevier.com and www.reedelsevier.com.