AFFX Affymetrix, Inc.

Affymetrix Launches New Arrays for SNP Genotyping Studies GeneChip(R) Arrays Provide Most Cost-Efficient and Informative Solutions for Linkage Analysis and Association Studies SANTA CLARA, Calif., June 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Affymetrix, Inc., (NASDAQ:AFFX) announced today the broad commercial availability of the GeneChip(R) Mapping 10K 2.0 Array and the GeneChip(R) Mapping 100K Array Set. Through continued innovation, Affymetrix is now able to offer a more affordable array for genotyping over 10,000 SNPs and a new information-rich array set for genotyping over 100,000 SNPs. (For an interactive version of this press release with additional information, please go to http://www.affymetrix.com/pr and click on the release title) Since its launch less than a year ago, the Mapping 10K Array has been widely used for linkage analysis and cancer genetics studies, resulting in over 15 peer-reviewed publications to date. The 10K delivers the most markers and highest resolutions available for linkage analysis, and has allowed scientists to more easily localize genes linked to diseases like neonatal diabetes and bipolar disorder. Scientists have also used the 10K to genotype and characterize chromosomal abnormalities simultaneously at a level of detail not possible using previous technologies. "Over the last year, we have run multiple linkage scans totaling over 1000 Mapping 10K arrays, and have gotten great results including new linkage regions, replication of previous microsatellite results with smaller intervals and have even gone on to clone a gene," said Dr. Dietrich Stephan, Senior Investigator and Director of the Neurogenomics Division at TGen. "Now, the Mapping 10K 2.0 offers the same scientific advantages as the original at a much lower price." Affymetrix' Mapping 100K Array Set is enabling scientists to perform high-density genome scans and genome-wide association studies on the genetics of complex diseases and drug response. Twenty seven customers have already signed on under the initial technology access phase of the program, started in December 2003. Customers include leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies like Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Inc. and Myriad Genetics, as well as academic centers such as NCI, Mayo Clinic, Max Delbruck Center, and the Cancer Genome Project at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute. "We compared over 2 million genotypes collected using the Mapping 100K arrays for the same individuals and SNPs deposited by the HapMap Project. The data from the 100K arrays was 99.6% complete, and 99.8% accurate in comparison to the HapMap data," said David Altshuler, Director of the Program in Medical and Population Genetics at Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, and Associate Professor of Genetics and Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital. "The 100K arrays advance the field's ability to quickly generate the large amounts of highly accurate genotypic data that will be required to make whole genome association studies a reality." "Using the Mapping 100K, we have been able to capture a large proportion of LD in the genetically homogenous East Finland founder population, and conduct whole genome association experiments for the first time," added Dr. Jukka T. Salonen, CSO of Oy Jurilab Ltd., a Finnish biotech company specializing in genetic discovery and development of related diagnostics. "The ease of use, scalability and throughput of the Affymetrix platform is revolutionizing our ability to understand the genetics of complex disease. We have made ground-breaking discoveries in coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes, which allow Jurilab to develop revolutionary predisposition tests." Both the 10K 2.0 and 100K arrays use the same innovative, scalable, easy-to-use assay that Affymetrix developed for the earlier GeneChip Mapping 10K Array. Genotyping either 10,000 or 100,000 SNPs requires only one universal primer and a simple protocol. Previously, genotyping 100,000 SNPs would have required 100,000 PCR reactions, a hurdle that made this kind of genome-wide genotypic research impractical. These two commercial array offerings give scientists higher resolution and the ability to make better decisions through more SNP genotype information than ever before. "The power and simplicity of our genotyping system has made the Mapping 10K Array a definitive solution for genome-wide linkage studies. Building off of that technology, the Mapping 100K Set is the first in a family of products enabling scientists to begin long-awaited genome-wide association studies," said Greg Yap, Senior Marketing Director, DNA Analysis. "Affymetrix continues to set the standard in enabling whole genome analysis, and this proven assay continues to scale to keep researchers on the leading edge." The 10K 2.0 and 100K are the newest members of the Affymetrix DNA analysis product line, which includes comparative sequencing, custom genotyping, and whole genome SNP microarrays. The arrays use the same GeneChip technology that revolutionized mRNA gene expression analysis and are enabling researchers to understand both the function and variation of whole genomes on a single, integrated platform. 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 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 brand 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/. 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, market acceptance (including uncertainties relating to product development, use and market acceptance of the GeneChip(R) Mapping 10K 2.0 Array or GeneChip(R) Mapping 100K Array Set), 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, 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. Web site: http://www.affymetrix.com/

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