AFFX Affymetrix, Inc.

Affymetrix and NuGEN Collaborate to Advance Whole Transcript Analysis - NuGEN Proprietary Whole Transcript Amplification System to Be Optimized for Use With Affymetrix GeneChip(R) Brand Technology - SANTA CLARA, Calif. and SAN CARLOS, Calif., Dec. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Affymetrix, Inc., and NuGEN Technologies Inc., a privately held company developing and commercializing products for high sensitivity nucleic acid amplification and detection, announced today that they have entered into a joint collaboration to develop NuGEN's Whole Transcript Amplification (WT-SPIA(TM)) system for use with Affymetrix GeneChip(R) brand technology. Financial terms were not disclosed. "We are delighted to work with Affymetrix towards our shared vision to integrate NuGEN's novel amplification reagents with Affymetrix GeneChip technology," said Jan D'Alvise, President and CEO of NuGEN. "We will develop WT-SPIA reagents for the preparation of sample prior to hybridization to GeneChip arrays with the goal of maintaining the accuracy, sensitivity, speed and simplicity that characterizes NuGEN's commercially available Ovation Amplification System products that are based upon the Ribo-SPIA(TM) technology. By collaborating with Affymetrix, the industry leader for microarrays that enable whole genome analysis, we plan to develop an integrated solution which will be instrumental to advancing several important fields within genomic research." "Following our collaborative research efforts, Affymetrix and NuGEN intend to develop this promising new target amplification method to support the next generation of GeneChip arrays from Affymetrix," said John E. Blume, Ph.D., Vice President of Expression Research for Affymetrix. "Our collaborative efforts are focused on providing the most powerful product solutions to drive the entire field of whole genome analysis forward." In this collaboration, NuGEN plans to develop amplification reagents that replicate the entire length of mRNA transcripts and are optimized for use with GeneChip technology. An important application of WT-SPIA will be the identification of splice variants. Alternative mRNA splicing is an important mechanism to expand the diversity of gene products because an estimated 60% of human genes undergo alternative splicing of their coding units, or exons. This process greatly increases the repertoire of proteins that are expressed in different cell types at different stages of normal or pathological development. Splice variants are believed to have significant functions in the control of normal and disease states. 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/ . About NuGEN Technologies Inc. NuGEN(TM) Technologies Inc., headquartered in San Carlos, CA, is a privately held company focused on the development and commercialization of high sensitivity amplification and detection systems for the analysis of nucleic acids and proteins. NuGEN's mission is to develop amplification and detection systems for genomic and proteomic research. The company's proprietary technologies form the foundation for a wide range of methods and products used by researchers to prepare samples for genetic analysis. NuGEN's initial business focus is to apply its amplification and labeling technologies to gene expression analysis. NOTE: Affymetrix, the Affymetrix logo and GeneChip and are registered trademarks owned or used by Affymetrix, Inc. NuGEN(TM), Ovation(TM), SPIA(TM), Ribo-SPIA(TM) and WT-SPIA(TM) are trademarks or service marks of NuGEN(TM) Technologies. 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 (including uncertainties relating to its research collaboration with NuGEN), manufacturing, product development, market acceptance, 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 for the year ended December 31, 2002 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. This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, including continued growth in demand by researchers for total RNA analysis, continued use of oligo and cDNA microarrays, acceptance by researchers of the company's technologies and products, and competition from existing and newly developed products. Accordingly, actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. These forward-looking statements represent the company's current expectations as of the date of this release. The company disclaims, however, any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements. DATASOURCE: NuGEN Technologies Inc.; Affymetrix, Inc. CONTACT: media, Anne Bowdidge, Director of Global Public Relations, +1-408-731-5925, or investors, Doug Farrell, Vice President of Investor Relations, +1-408-731-5285, both of Affymetrix; or Charlotte Rogers, V.P., Business Development of NuGEN, +1-650-590-3610; or media, Carin Canale or Anette Breindl, Ph.D., +1-858-860-0266, both of Atkins + Associates for NuGEN Web site: http://www.affymetrix.com/ Web site: http://www.nugentechnologies.com/

Copyright