Affymax Appoints Hollings C. Renton to Board of Directors

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(Business Wire)--
Affymax, Inc., a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company, today announced the
appointment of Hollings C. Renton to the company`s board of directors.

Before retiring in 2008, Mr. Renton served as chairman of the board of Onyx
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. from 2000, where he also served as president and chief
executive officer from 1993 and as a director from 1992.

"Hollings brings over 25 years of experience building successful biotechnology
companies, commercializing blockbuster products and forging industry-leading
partnerships," said Arlene M. Morris, president and chief executive officer of
Affymax. "His experience developing and commercializing drugs will be invaluable
as we continue the clinical development and, if successful, commercialization of
Hematide for the treatment of anemia in patients with chronic renal failure."

Prior to joining Onyx, Mr. Renton was president and chief operating officer of
Chiron Corporation. He assumed that position in 1991 on Chiron's acquisition of
Cetus Corporation, where he had been president since 1990 and chief operating
officer since 1987. He joined Cetus in 1981 and was chief financial officer from
1983 to 1987.

Mr. Renton holds an M.B.A. from the University of Michigan and a B.S. in
Mathematics from Colorado State University. He also serves as a member of the
boards of directors of Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Cepheid, and the Special Olympics
of Northern California.

About Affymax, Inc.

Affymax, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company developing novel drugs to improve
the treatment of serious and often life-threatening conditions. Affymax`s lead
product candidate, Hematide, is currently in Phase 3 clinical trial stage for
the treatment of anemia associated with chronic renal failure. For additional
information, please visit www.affymax.com.

Affymax, Inc.
Corporate:
Paul Cleveland, 650-812-8700
Chief Financial Officer and
Executive Vice President, Corporate Development

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