Affymetrix Announces Major Genotyping Project With Kaiser Permanente and the University of California at San Francisco for NIH-Funded Epidemiology Study

100,000-Sample Study to Be Performed Using New Axiom Genotyping Solution
SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(Business Wire)--
Affymetrix, Inc. (Nasdaq:AFFX) today announced that the Kaiser Permanente
Research Program on Genes, Environment, and Health (RPGEH) and the University of
California at San Francisco (UCSF) have entered into an agreement with
Affymetrix to support genome-wide analyses of DNA samples from 100,000 Kaiser
Permanente members.

The members have volunteered for a large-scale research program designed to
create a new resource for studying disease, health, and aging. Scientists from
the program will use the just-launched Axiom Genotyping Solution, which delivers
high-throughput, automated technology and enables researchers to find novel and
common genetic variations associated with complex disease.

DNA studies will be linked to Kaiser Permanente`s electronic health record
system, the largest of its kind. Information from health surveys and
environmental data will also be analyzed. These resources will give researchers
an entirely new platform for studying genetic and environmental influences over
time on a wide variety of health conditions, across diverse populations.

The program is being funded by a $24.8 million grant from the National
Institutes of Health (NIH)1, and over the next two years, a significant portion
of this amount is expected to be used to purchase the Axiom Genotyping Solution.

The Kaiser Permanente RPGEH is a growing resource for scientific research
designed to facilitate epidemiologic studies of both genetic and environmental
influences on common health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer,
asthma, mental health disorders, and many others.

"The NIH grant gives Kaiser Permanente and UCSF an opportunity to utilize a new
model for studying human genetics," said Kevin King, president and CEO of
Affymetrix. "We greatly value the relationship we have built with the program
leaders over the last two years, and we are excited that our technology will be
used to help researchers study effective prevention and treatment strategies to
improve healthcare and quality of life."

The Axiom 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.

The solution consists of Axiom Array Plates, complete Axiom Reagent Kits, an
automated target preparation station developed jointly by Affymetrix and Beckman
Coulter, plus 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.

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

1Kaiser Permanente and UCSF joint press release:
http://xnet.kp.org/newscenter/pressreleases/ncal/2009/101209rpgehanducsfgrant.html

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

Copyright Business Wire 2009