AFFX Affymetrix, Inc.

Affymetrix Recognized with R&D 100 Award SANTA CLARA, Calif., Oct. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Affymetrix, Inc., (NASDAQ:AFFX) today announced that the GeneChip(R) Scanner 3000 with AutoLoader has been selected to receive an R&D 100 Award from R&D Magazine as one of the 100 most technologically significant products of the past year. The Affymetrix GeneChip Scanner 3000 with AutoLoader is a microarray scanner designed and produced by the industry pioneer that invented the first microarray and scanner. This laser scanning, fluorescent confocal microscope scanner can read Affymetrix GeneChip arrays containing up to 2.5 million biological features. This compact bench-top scanner combines easy-to-use features with advanced optics and solid-state laser technology to provide rapid scan times, enhanced resolution, high image quality, and data reproducibility for accurate, reliable results. Its scan rate is about twice that of other systems and it is set up for automated operation, thereby increasing its overall productivity. "Affymetrix is honored to be recognized by the R&D Magazine editors and 50 independent judges chosen from the instrument design community," said Tony McCook, Senior Product Manager, Instrument Systems. "Our commitment to continuing advances in microarray scanner technology is enabling research that will help improve people's lives." The scanner design has laid the foundation for continued evolution of the GeneChip platform as an integrated genetic analysis system, supporting continued feature size reduction for higher resolution and greater information content of microarray-based products. The GeneChip(R) brand Scanner 3000 with AutoLoader is able to scan 48 catalog GeneChip arrays, each containing as many as 2.5 million features, in 4.5 hours or less, depending on the array type scanned. The scanner's ability to read very small features enables GeneChip arrays to provide entire genomes on one array. Using the scanner in conjunction with these arrays allows researchers to perform thousands of simultaneous experiments to determine the genetic makeup of the sample. To learn more about the R&D 100 Awards, visit http://www.rdmag.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 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(R) 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 and market acceptance of the GeneChip Scanner 3000 with AutoLoader), 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, Assoc. 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.rdmag.com/ Web site: http://www.affymetrix.com/

Copyright