AFFX Affymetrix, Inc.

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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