AFFX Affymetrix, Inc.

Affymetrix and QIAGEN to Collaborate on siRNA Research Using GeneChip(R) Technology VENLO, The Netherlands, and SANTA CLARA, Calif., Oct. 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- QIAGEN N.V. and Affymetrix, Inc., today announced that they have entered into a collaboration to optimise QIAGEN siRNA-mediated gene silencing using Affymetrix GeneChip(R) microarray technology. The collaboration is intended to develop optimised procedures that can be standardized to analyse gene silencing effects on a genome-wide basis. QIAGEN has a leading position in gene silencing by siRNA using synthesis technology based on a proprietary chemistry (TOM amidites), and on transfection methods and kits for introduction of siRNA into target cells. The ability of market leading Affymetrix GeneChip expression arrays to provide a comprehensive picture of all the protein-coding content in the human genome enables researchers to determine on a whole genome scale, on- and off-target effects of siRNA-mediated gene silencing. Optimised protocols and data resulting from the collaboration describing the benefits of using the two technologies together will be provided to researchers in technical notes. "Use of siRNA as a tool to impact important biological pathways is a rapidly growing area of research in basic biology and therapeutic development," said Trevor J. Nicholls, Ph.D., Affymetrix's Chief Commercial Officer. "The whole-genome view that Affymetrix arrays offer will give researchers a more complete understanding of the downstream effects of siRNAs in their experiments and clinical research. We are pleased to be working with QIAGEN in this exciting area. This relationship complements our recently announced collaboration with PreAnalytiX GmbH to develop sampling protocols in clinical research." "This collaboration adds another cornerstone to the already existing partnerships with Affymetrix," said Dr. Ulrich Schriek, Vice President Corporate Business Development of QIAGEN. "It will strengthen QIAGEN's presence in what has evolved to one of the most dynamic areas of today's functional genomics market. The combination of our synthetic siRNA and transfection products with the market's leading array technology will set new standards and is ideally suited to provide an optimal tool set to researchers studying complex genetic pathways and networks." About QIAGEN QIAGEN N.V., a Netherlands holding company with subsidiaries in Germany, the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, France, Italy, Australia, Norway, Austria and Canada, believes it is the world's leading provider of innovative enabling technologies and products for the separation, purification and handling of nucleic acids. The Company has developed a comprehensive portfolio of more than 320 proprietary, consumable products for nucleic acid separation, purification and handling, nucleic acid amplification, as well as automated instrumentation, synthetic nucleic acid products and related services. QIAGEN's products are sold in more than 42 countries throughout the world to academic research markets and to leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. In addition, the Company is positioning its products for sale into developing commercial markets, including DNA sequencing and genomics, nucleic acid-based molecular diagnostics, and genetic vaccination and gene therapy. QIAGEN employs approximately 1,600 people worldwide. Further information on QIAGEN can be found at http://www.qiagen.com/. About Affymetrix: Affymetrix is a pioneer in creating breakthrough tools that are driving the genomic revolution. By applying the principles of semiconductor technology to the life sciences, Affymetrix develops and commercializes systems that enable scientists to improve the quality of life. The Company's customers include pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agrichemical, diagnostics and consumer products companies as well as academic, government and other non-profit research institutes. Affymetrix offers an expanding portfolio of integrated products and services, including its integrated GeneChip platform, to address growing markets focused on understanding the relationship between genes and human health. Additional information on Affymetrix can be found at http://www.affymetrix.com/. Certain of the statements contained in this news release may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. To the extent that any of the statements contained herein relating to QIAGEN's products and markets and operating results are forward-looking, such statements are based on current expectations that involve a number of uncertainties and risks. Such uncertainties and risks include, but are not limited to, risks associated with management of growth and international operations (including the effects of currency fluctuations and risks of dependency on logistics), variability of operating results, the commercial development of the DNA sequencing, genomics and synthetic nucleic acid-related markets, nucleic acid-based molecular diagnostics market, and genetic vaccination and gene therapy markets, competition, rapid or unexpected changes in technologies, fluctuations in demand for QIAGEN's, products (including seasonal fluctuations), difficulties in successfully adapting QIAGEN's products to integrated solutions and producing such products, the ability of QIAGEN to identify and develop new products and to differentiate its products from competitors, and the integration of acquisitions of technologies and businesses. For further information, refer to the discussion in reports that QIAGEN has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). DATASOURCE: QIAGEN N.V. CONTACT: Peer M. Schatz, Chief Financial Officer of QIAGEN N.V., +49-2103-29-11702, or , or Dr. Solveigh Maehler, Manager Investor Relations of QIAGEN N.V., +49-2103-29-11710, or ; or Wes Conard, Senior Manager, Public Relations of Affymetrix, Inc., +1-408-731-5791, or , or Doug Farrell, Vice President for Investor Relations of Affymetrix, Inc., +1-408-731-5285, or Web site: http://www.qiagen.com/ http://www.affymetrix.com/

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