Affymetrix and Asuragen Sign Agreement to Develop IVT Reagent Kits for Molecular Diagnostic Applications

Affymetrix Inc. (NASDAQ:AFFX) and Asuragen Inc., a leading molecular biology diagnostic company and service provider, today announced an agreement to license, develop and manufacture in vitro transcription (IVT) reagent kits for clinical molecular diagnostic applications.

The new IVT reagent kits developed and manufactured by Asuragen will enable Affymetrix to deliver a complete solution to its molecular diagnostic partners. The products will be optimally designed for clinical use and will be configured for use with the GeneChip® System 3000Dx. This is the only available diagnostic microarray platform that has earned 510(k) clearance from the United States Food and Drug Administration and the CE mark from the European Union.

We are pleased to work with a leading diagnostic reagent provider like Asuragen, said Kevin King, president of Affymetrix. The Asuragen IVT reagent kit will strengthen our growing diagnostic product portfolio.

Affymetrix offers a continuous path to discover, develop and commercialize biomarker signature assays, said Matt Winkler, chief executive officer and chief scientific officer of Asuragen. These new reagent kits will facilitate more adoption of Affymetrix microarray technology by significantly improving workflow in the clinical diagnostic laboratory.

Affymetrix is partnering with the worlds leading diagnostic companies through the Powered by Affymetrix (PbA) Program to bring to market new diagnostic tests that employ the latest genomic discoveries. There are currently more than 20 different molecular assay tests based on the Affymetrix platform under development by Affymetrix and its 11 PbA Partners. The resulting microarray-based tests will enable clinicians to provide more efficient and complete methods to diagnose, classify and manage patients suffering from complex diseases like cancer.

About Asuragen

Asuragen is a fully integrated molecular diagnostics company and service provider focused on molecular oncology and early detection of cancer with emphasis on microRNA. Asuragens current diagnostic product portfolio consists of Signature® Genetic Testing and Oncology Testing products as well as industry-leading controls and standards engineered with its patented Armored RNA® technology. Asuragen is empowered with a high level of scientific expertise and assay development along with a well-developed business infrastructure, GLP and clinical laboratory testing services and an established cGMP manufacturing facility that allow it to span the spectrum of discovery, testing, production and commercialization. Asuragen is dedicated to developing new technologies that will become cutting-edge clinical products. More information is available at www.asuragen.com.

About Affymetrix

Affymetrix GeneChip® microarray technology is the industry-standard tool for analyzing complex genetic information. After inventing microarray technology in the late 1980s, Affymetrix scientists have been dedicated to developing innovative products that provide researchers with a more complete view of the genome. These products continue to accelerate genetic research and enable scientists to develop diagnostics and tailor treatments for individual patients by identifying and measuring the genetic information associated with complex diseases.

Today, Affymetrix technology is used by the worlds top pharmaceutical, diagnostic and biotechnology companies, as well as leading academic, government and not-for-profit research institutes. More than 1,700 systems have been shipped around the world and more than 12,000 peer-reviewed papers have been published using the technology.

Affymetrix is headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., and has manufacturing facilities in Sacramento, Calif., Cleveland, Ohio, and Singapore. The company has about 1,100 employees worldwide and maintains sales and distribution operations across Europe and Asia. For more information about Affymetrix, please visit: www.affymetrix.com.

Forward-looking Statements

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 and uncertainties relating to commercial success of the commercial success of the agreement between Affymetrix and Asuragen discussed in this press release; risks of the companys ability to achieve and sustain higher levels of revenue, higher gross margins and reduced operating expenses; uncertainties related to technological approaches, manufacturing and product development; personnel retention; uncertainties related to cost and pricing of Affymetrix products; dependence on collaborative partners; uncertainties related to sole-source suppliers; risks associated with past and future acquisitions; 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, 2007, 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.

Contacts:

Affymetrix Inc.
Media Contact:
Andrew Noble, 408-731-5571
Associate Director, Corporate Communications
Investor Contact:
Doug Farrell, 408-731-5285
Vice President, Investor Relations
or
Asuragen Inc.
Lori Brisbin, 512-681-5358
Director, Marketing
Cindy WalkerPeach, Ph.D., 512-681-5216
Director, Corporate Business Development

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