AFFX Affymetrix, Inc.

Affymetrix and Broad Institute Collaborate on Landmark Research Projects Studies Will Use GeneChip(R) High-Throughput Microarrays for Large-Scale Gene Expression, Genetic Association and DNA Resequencing Projects SANTA CLARA, Calif. and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Sept. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Affymetrix, Inc., (NASDAQ:AFFX) announced today that scientists at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard will use the new GeneChip(R) High Throughput (HT) system to perform pioneering research projects in RNA expression analysis, SNP genotyping and DNA resequencing. The scale, depth and precision of these studies is unprecedented and will enable scientists to perform research that just a year ago was virtually impossible. The Broad Institute plans to use the GeneChip HT system to undertake large-scale genomic and genetics projects, including genome-wide SNP association studies to understand the genetics of complex disease, genome-wide RNA expression analyses to discover the molecular signatures of disease and drug response, and large-scale DNA resequencing for genetic studies of cancer. "With its continued innovation in microarray technology, Affymetrix has dramatically advanced our ability to perform whole-genome analyses and next-generation genetic studies," said Dr. Eric Lander, Director, Broad Institute. "Now, by using Affymetrix technology in a new automated high-throughput format, we are able to greatly expand the power of our genetic and genomic studies. We hope that these ambitious studies significantly advance our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying human biology and disease." Broad researchers will use GeneChip technology in the three studies outlined below. Finding Genes Associated with Common Complex Disease The Broad anticipates using GeneChip genotyping arrays and the GeneChip HT system in association studies to genotype more than 300,000 SNPs per individual for thousands of patient DNA samples. These studies are expected to be among the first of their kind and the resulting genotype information should help identify genes associated with major disease. Broad researchers have helped spearhead the development of large-scale genome-wide SNP maps, including the public International HapMap Project, in pursuit of the goal of using high-density genome-wide SNP genotyping to discover the genes associated with common complex diseases. The arrays they will use are next-generation SNP genotyping arrays based on the same proven assay technology that underlies Affymetrix' current Mapping 10K and Mapping 100K arrays. Affymetrix plans to make these arrays broadly available. Large-scale Gene Expression Using the GeneChip HT technology, the Broad Institute expects to undertake whole-genome expression studies of thousands of samples including clinical tissues as well as cells that have been genetically manipulated or have been treated with various drug compounds. These studies are expected to generate billions of data points that researchers plan on assembling into one of the largest gene expression databases that researchers can use to compare expression profiles across many different physiological and disease conditions. The large scale of this dataset greatly expands the utility in biomedical research and drug discovery and development, allowing researchers to systematically analyze the relationships between genes, diseases and drugs at the genomic level. DNA Resequencing Broad will also work on applying the GeneChip HT system in combination with CustomSeq(TM) resequencing arrays towards large-scale DNA sequence variation discovery in diseases such as cancer. The combination of high density GeneChip microarrays and the new GeneChip HT system are enabling such massive-scale studies by providing the most cost-effective throughput available for microarray analyses. Broad researchers will also collaborate with Affymetrix on algorithm development for automated sequence analysis. Understanding complete sequence variation across genes will provide a more complete picture of disease. "We are enthusiastic to be collaborating with the Broad to examine genomic and genetic data at throughputs that just last year were unimaginable," said Alan Dance, Sr. Vice President of Product Marketing at Affymetrix. "Using HT in combination with GeneChip microarrays is expected to give researchers the 'massive-scale' capability that they need to study complex biological problems." The GeneChip HT system adapts industry-standard GeneChip technology and content to a standard 96-well microtiter plate footprint. By using off-the-shelf robotics to automate the most labor-intensive steps in GeneChip microarray processing -- target preparation, hybridization, washing, and scanning -- the system has the capacity to process hundreds of biological samples per week, reducing capital, labor, reagent and array expenses. The advent of the HT system establishes a better balance between the vast resource of sequence information and the scientist's ability to analyze it, enabling researchers to perform experiments that were previously unimaginable. 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 (including uncertainties relating to the use of the GeneChip High Throughput system and outcome of the research projects with the Broad Institute discussed in this press release), 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, 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. About The Broad Institute: The Broad Institute (rhymes with "code") is known officially as The Eli and Edythe L. Broad Institute. It is a research collaboration of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard University and its hospitals and the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research. The Broad Institute drives efforts to systematically apply knowledge from the human genome to understand and treat disease. This mission includes creating the comprehensive tools for genomic medicine, making them broadly available to the world and pioneering their application to the study and treatment of disease. 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 of Affymetrix, Inc., +1-408-731-5791; or Michelle Nhuch, or Scott Turner, both of Office of Communications of Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, +1-617-252-1064; or investors, Doug Farrell, Vice President, Investor Relations of Affymetrix, Inc., +1-408-731-5285 Web site: http://www.affymetrix.com/

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