Institut Curie and Affymetrix Launch Strategic Alliance to Study Cancer
February 02 2005 - 3:01AM
PR Newswire (US)
Institut Curie and Affymetrix Launch Strategic Alliance to Study
Cancer Project Will Use Microarray Technology to Find Genetic
Signatures for Cancer That Could Be Used to Develop Diagnostic
Tests PARIS and SANTA CLARA, Calif., Feb. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/
-- Institut Curie and Affymetrix Inc. (NASDAQ:AFFX) today announced
a strategic alliance that will use GeneChip(R) microarray
technology in large-scale clinical studies designed to produce
genetic signatures for different types of cancer, that could then
be used to develop diagnostic tests. By combining Institut Curie's
state-of-the-art techniques for collecting tumor samples with the
only microarray technology used in both clinical research and
clinical diagnostics, the participants hope to quickly translate
cancer research into breakthrough tools for cancer treatment.
Institut Curie, one of the largest cancer research centers in
Europe, will conduct the studies from its translational medicine
division. The first two projects will focus on identifying
important genetic markers for cancer prognosis, including markers
to help predict breast cancer relapse and to determine the
likelihood of tumors in the eye spreading further. Researchers are
optimistic about the prospects of success for two reasons. First,
over the past 15 years Institut Curie has developed an extensive
library of high-quality tumor samples using an advanced
"snap-frozen" sampling method. Researchers believe the exceptional
quality of the samples should produce more accurate and reliable
diagnostics. Second, the Affymetrix platform allows scientists to
conduct cancer research and diagnostic test development on the same
microarray technology, potentially enabling researchers to get
these tools to doctors and patients quicker. "The strategic
alliance with Affymetrix is very timely for the Institut Curie
translational research programs," said Jean Paul Thiery, Institut
Curie, Director of Translational Research Department. "We have
developed new bioinformatic tools to analyze complex RNA expression
profiles of a large series of well-annotated tumors. We anticipate
that this alliance should lead to the discovery of new diagnostic
and prognostic markers using one of the most advanced technological
approaches in descriptive genomics. This collaboration also greatly
benefits from the cutting-edge technologies and conceptual
strategies currently practiced at the Institut Curie in basic and
clinical research." "We are extremely excited about the opportunity
to work with Institut Curie," said Philippe Cotrel, Affymetrix,
Director of Marketing, Europe. "Using Affymetrix technology to do
both the research and to develop resulting diagnostics could speed
the process and get these tools into doctors' hands quicker,
helping to bridge the gap between clinical research and patient
care." Each translational medicine study will use GeneChip
microarrays to analyze the DNA sequence and gene expression for 250
tumor samples, providing scientists with a genetic fingerprint, or
biomarker, of each disease. This fingerprint can help doctors
identify the disease in other patients, predict how it may progress
and assist them in choosing the right treatment for breast and eye
cancer: - Breast cancer is the leading cause of death of women in
Western Europe and is now the third leading cause in the US. The
aim of the Institut Curie/Affymetrix study is to find biomarkers to
predict whether breast cancer will relapse after initial treatment.
- Uveal melanoma, a form of eye cancer, is rarer than breast cancer
-- affecting about 600 people a year in France. However, half of
the patients die within 10 years after the cancer spreads. Institut
Curie researchers are looking for a biomarker that can tell them
whether a uveal tumor is likely to spread, or not. Affymetrix
microarrays are the first technology powerful enough to scan
through tens of thousands of genes in a cancer cell and pinpoint
the handful that can help doctors make the right diagnosis and
provide treatment. About Institut Curie Institut Curie (1,885
persons) is a private foundation which has expanded upon the
pioneering work of Marie Curie and was accredited as a public
service in 1921. It has grown to become the largest cancer research
center dedicated in France, pioneering an interdisciplinary
approach to research and treatment. The aim of Institut Curie
Research Center and Hospital is to transform basic scientific
knowledge into new diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic practices
and products as quickly as possible. Institut Curie Research Center
is composed of 60 cancer research teams including biologists,
chemists, physicists and clinicians with the objective of improving
prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancers. The Research Center
works closely with the Hospital, which is the leading European
center for breast cancer care, a national reference center for
numerous tumours and is currently developing an intensive clinical
research program. The Hospital is known for providing the most
efficient, innovative therapies to fight cancer. Working with these
clinical and research teams is a special translational research
division which helps implement the transfer of advances from the
lab into the hospital or to industry. Its skills in genomics,
post-genomics, immunomonitoring, pharmacology and biological
resources provide added value to the discovery process and to
clinical research. About Affymetrix: Affymetrix scientists invented
the world's first high-density microarray in 1989 and began selling
the first commercial microarray in 1994. Since then, Affymetrix
GeneChip(R) technology has become the industry standard in
molecular biology research. Affymetrix technology is used by the
world's top pharmaceutical, diagnostic and biotechnology companies
as well as leading academic, government and not-for-profit research
institutes. More than 1,200 systems have been shipped around the
world and nearly 3,000 peer-reviewed papers have been published
using the technology. Affymetrix' patented photolithographic
manufacturing process provides the most information capacity
available today on an array, enabling researchers to use a
whole-genome approach to analyze the relationship between genetics
and health. Affymetrix is headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif.,
with manufacturing facilities in Sacramento, Calif., and Bedford,
Mass. The company maintains important sales and marketing
operations in Europe and Asia and has about 900 employees
worldwide. All statements in this press release that are not
historical are "forward- looking statements" within the meaning of
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act as amended, including
statements regarding Affymetrix' "expectations," "beliefs,"
"hopes," "intentions," "strategies" or the like. Such statements
are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual
results to differ materially for Affymetrix from those projected,
including, but not limited to risks of the Company's ability to
achieve and sustain higher levels of revenue, higher gross margins,
reduced operating expenses, uncertainties relating to technological
approaches, manufacturing, product development, personnel
retention, uncertainties related to cost and pricing of Affymetrix
products, dependence on collaborative partners (including
uncertainties related to the outcome of the collaboration discussed
in this press release), uncertainties relating to sole source
suppliers, uncertainties relating to FDA and other regulatory
approvals, competition, risks relating to intellectual property of
others and the uncertainties of patent protection and litigation.
These and other risk factors are discussed in Affymetrix' Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2003 and other SEC reports,
including its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for subsequent
quarterly periods. Affymetrix expressly disclaims any obligation or
undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any
forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change
in Affymetrix' expectations with regard thereto or any change in
events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statements
are based. NOTE: Affymetrix, the Affymetrix logo, and GeneChip are
registered trademarks owned or used by Affymetrix, Inc. DATASOURCE:
Affymetrix, Inc. CONTACT: media, Wes Conard, Associate Director,
Public Relations, +1-408-731-5791, or investors, Doug Farrell, Vice
President, Investor Relations, +1-408-731-5285, both of Affymetrix,
Inc.; or media, Catherine Goupillon, Press officer of Institut
Curie, 33 (0) 1 44 32 40 63 Web site: http://www.affymetrix.com/
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