Affymetrix Signs Three-Year Translational Medicine Agreement With Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center
January 24 2007 - 8:00AM
Business Wire
Affymetrix Inc. (Nasdaq:AFFX) and Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center
announced today that they have entered into a three-year
translational research collaboration to analyze genomic information
across a large number of patient samples. Under terms of the
agreement, researchers at Vanderbilt-Ingram and Vanderbilt
University Medical Center will use Affymetrix GeneChip� microarray
technology to develop new applications for translational research
projects, focusing on disease areas such as cancer and HIV/AIDS.
�Cancer is a genetic disease. The technological capabilities that
Affymetrix provides in gene expression and genotyping provides an
important set of tools to examine the molecular and genetic basis
of cancer,� said Shawn Levy, Ph.D., assistant professor of
biomedical informatics and director of the Vanderbilt Microarray
Shared Resource. �This partnership provides a mechanism to bring
these technologies to the forefront of translational research in
helping Vanderbilt understand not only the molecular basis for the
disease but also the genetic disparities in various cancers and
responses to therapy.� The HIV/AIDS translational research project
will aim to help clinicians avoid the often irreversible and costly
complications of therapy. The Affymetrix Human Mitochondrial
Resequencing Array 2.0 will be used as a research tool to identify
genetic variants that may make some patients more susceptible to
adverse effects of certain drugs. The results of this study will
potentially help clinicians select the most appropriate drug
therapy for each patient, avoiding those most likely to cause
toxicity. Such a tool could have important applications for
HIV/AIDS treatment in both affluent and resource-limited settings,
and for other diseases. "A number of important translational
projects are underway, ranging from cancer research to HIV/AIDS
drug toxicities to age-related macular degeneration,� said Jeff
Canter M.D., M.P.H., assistant professor of molecular physiology
and biophysics at the Center for Human Genetics Research at
Vanderbilt University Medical Center. �This is a very exciting time
because new sequencing technologies allow us to explore real-world
applications of discoveries from the revolution in genetics that
until now have been confined to the laboratory.� �Vanderbilt
University�s Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center is one of the premier
cancer research facilities in the United States,� said Fred
Pollock, associate director of translational medicine at
Affymetrix. �We are excited about moving forward with this
translational medicine partnership that is designed to accelerate
genetic research and bring better healthcare to patients.�
Affymetrix collaborates with academic institutions, advocacy groups
and the pharmaceutical and�diagnostics�community through its
Translational�Medicine�Program to develop�molecular signatures for
improving patient care. Affymetrix GeneChip microarray technology
helps researchers diagnose and�tailor treatments for individual
patients�by identifying and measuring the genetic information
associated with complex diseases.
The�Translational�Medicine�Program complements the Powered by
Affymetrix� program, which enables companies to license GeneChip
technology to create innovative, custom-designed microarray
products based on signatures such as those of our Translational
Medicine Program partners. This technology is already being used in
many applications, including diagnostics, forensics, animal,
industrial and food testing. About Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center
(VICC) The Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center at Vanderbilt University
Medical Center is dedicated to a comprehensive, interdisciplinary
approach to cancer care, research, prevention and patient and
community education. With nearly 300 investigators,
Vanderbilt-Ingram is ranked among the top 10 centers in total
research funding from the National Cancer Institute and generates
more than $150 million each year in research support from public
and private sources. Vanderbilt-Ingram is the only National Cancer
Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in Tennessee and
one of only 39 to achieve this distinction nationwide. The center
is consistently recognized among the best places for cancer care by
U.S. News & World Report. For more information, visit us online
at www.vicc.org. 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� 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 nonprofit research institutes.
More than 1,400 systems have been installed around the world and
more than 7,000 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
analyzing the relationship between genetics and health. Affymetrix
is headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., with manufacturing
facilities in Sacramento, Calif., Bedford, Mass., and Singapore.
The company maintains important sales and marketing operations in
Europe and Asia and has about 1,100 employees worldwide. For more
information about Affymetrix, please visit the company�s website at
www.affymetrix.com. 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 and uncertainties associated
with the agreement with Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center discussed
in this press release; risks of the company�s ability to achieve
and sustain higher levels of revenue, higher gross margins and
reduced operating expenses; uncertainties relating to technological
approaches, manufacturing and product development; personnel
retention; uncertainties related to cost and pricing of Affymetrix
products; dependence on collaborative partners; 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/A for the year ended December
31, 2005, 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.
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