Affymetrix Launches New Platform for Next-Generation Genotyping

The Axiom Genotyping Solution Expands Content, Throughput, and Customizable
Arrays on a Single Platform
SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(Business Wire)--
Affymetrix, Inc. (Nasdaq:AFFX) today announced the launch of the Axiom
Genotyping Solution, its next-generation array technology designed to match the
significant rise in genetic content generated by government and privately funded
sequencing projects. This high-throughput, automated platform enables
researchers to find novel genetic variations associated with complex disease.

The Axiom Solution will support both whole-genome association and candidate gene
association studies with a level of customization not currently available.
Researchers will no longer be constrained by the content of fixed-panel arrays.
The complete genotyping platform employs enzyme-mediated, single-base sequencing
steps for specificity in conjunction with affordable, reproducible, and highly
automated workflows.

The solution is configured to continually validate and incorporate the output of
large-scale sequencing projects. Initial offerings are designed from public
databases of human variations and cover historical HapMap data supplemented by
subsequent releases of additional variants. In addition, Affymetrix is screening
millions of putative SNPs and insertions/deletions that are being discovered by
the 1000 Genomes Project and other sources, and will make these available to
researchers using the Axiom Solution.

"Axiom technology has the capability to routinely screen, validate, and convert
sequence variants into high-throughput assays," said Dr. Keith Jones, vice
president of assay and application development at Affymetrix. "A major strength
of this new solution is the assay that allows random access to the genome,
coupled with the accuracy of a highly specific, ligation-based approach."

The solution consists of Axiom Array Plates, complete Axiom Reagent Kits, and an
automated target preparation station developed jointly by Affymetrix and Beckman
Coulter, and the GeneTitan Multi-Channel (MC) Instrument. The GeneTitan MC
Instrument integrates a hybridization oven, fluidics processing, CCD imaging
device, and analysis software for maximum data reproducibility, user
productivity, and scalability.

With a single platform and as few as one-and-a-half full-time technicians, a
laboratory can process more than 750 samples per week with unmatched, minimal
user intervention. The first commercial products from this offering will support
genome-wide association studies and are expected to be delivered to customers
this month.

"The Axiom Solution is a revolution in customer choice and takes advantage of a
technology model similar to the digital media industry," said Kevin King,
president and CEO of Affymetrix. "Pre-selected, store-bought music and video
content have given way to powerful online digital databases that offer customers
maximum flexibility. Researchers can now create their own 'playlist' in the form
of custom arrays that deliver maximum scientific value to their research."

Affymetrix will also offer Axiom Genotyping Services through the Affymetrix
Research Services Laboratory (ARSL), which has run more than 250,000 genotyping
samples to date, including a large portion of the Wellcome Trust Case Control
Consortium.

For more information on the Axiom Genotyping Solution, please visit
www.axiom.affymetrix.com.

About Affymetrix

Affymetrix technology is used by the world`s top pharmaceutical, diagnostic, and
biotechnology companies, as well as leading academic, government, and
not-for-profit research institutes. More than 1,800 systems have been shipped
around the world and more than 20,000 peer-reviewed papers have been published
using the technology.

Affymetrix is headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., and has manufacturing
facilities in 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 the
company`s website at 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. These and
other risk factors are discussed in Affymetrix` Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2008, and other SEC reports for subsequent quarterly periods.

NOTE: Affymetrix, the Affymetrix logo and GeneChip® are registered trademarks
owned or used by Affymetrix Inc.

Affymetrix Inc.
Media:
Justin O`Kelly, 408-731-5991
Public Relations Manager
Investors:
Doug Farrell, 408-731-5285
Vice President, Investor Relations

Copyright Business Wire 2009