About Synpromics
Synpromics is a fast-growing biotechnology company based in Edinburgh, pioneering advances in gene expression control. Their work focuses on supporting breakthroughs in cell and gene therapy, with the ultimate mission of improving human health. By developing cutting-edge solutions for diseases such as macular degeneration and muscular dystrophy, Synpromics is helping to unlock the potential of the next generation of gene therapies.
The Challenge
As a data-intensive biotech business, Synpromics depends on powerful computational infrastructure to support its bioinformatics platform, PromPT® — a proprietary system developed entirely on Linux. However, their existing IT provider had limited expertise in Unix-like systems and focused primarily on Microsoft environments. This left Synpromics with a critical gap.
Ross Fraser, Head of Bioinformatics, explains the impact:
“Bioinformatics, or computational biology, is the engine that drives all of our custom gene control projects… Given the centrality of bioinformatics to the company, it is a business necessity for Synpromics to run Linux servers.”
As internal teams found themselves spending increasing time managing servers and monitoring backups, essential R&D activities were being disrupted. The lack of specialist support introduced operational risk, project delays, and rising internal costs — threatening to slow progress on vital scientific work.
The Solution: A Dedicated Linux Partner
To reduce risk and free up their internal team, Synpromics turned to Tiger Computing for specialist Linux support and consultancy. Tiger’s deep expertise in Linux infrastructure provided immediate relief from day-to-day server management and allowed the Synpromics team to refocus on strategic priorities.
Tiger’s role included:
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Taking over responsibility for Linux system administration
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Implementing proactive monitoring and backup best practices
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Optimising infrastructure to support the demands of PromPT®
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Providing on-demand technical expertise for performance-critical scenarios
The difference was felt immediately, as Ross Fraser highlights:
“Tiger have had a major impact on our business. Their careful and professional management has entirely relieved the team of any Linux system admin responsibilities.”
What Sets Tiger Apart
Tiger’s value went beyond support – they became a trusted strategic partner. In one instance, when a complex analysis triggered a server crash, Tiger’s deep understanding of Linux internals made the difference:
“Within the course of an afternoon, Tiger had not only diagnosed an esoteric kernel bug… they had implemented a new kernel they’d customised for us to workaround the issue while directly raising the issue with the Linux developer responsible for the component.”
Tiger’s proactive approach and commitment to finding the best solution has helped Synpromics maintain focus, manage risk, and continue pushing boundaries in gene therapy.
“If there’s one bit of advice I’d give when dealing with Tiger it would be this: don’t ask for specifics, tell them what you want to do and let them devise the strategy. It’s almost always far superior than what you were thinking in the first place!”
