Japan fires up development-stage supercomputer for virus fight

Machine will be used to find promising drugs to treat infections beyond Avigan

20200411N Fugaku

The Fugaku supercomputer is already eight times more powerful than its predecessor despite only being partially operational. (Photo courtesy of Riken)

AKIRA OIKAWA, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- Japan has dispatched its newest supercomputer to help combat the spread of the novel coronavirus even though it is not fully completed, moving up its scheduled launch from next year.

Efforts to find treatments for COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, are accelerating around the world. The anti-influenza drug Avigan has received widespread attention, but its effectiveness has yet to be determined.

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