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

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

Reagent Kits Will Strengthen Affymetrix' Diagnostic Product
Portfolio
SANTA CLARA, Calif. & AUSTIN, Texas--(Business Wire)--
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(R)
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 world's leading diagnostic
companies through the Powered by Affymetrix(TM) (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. Asuragen's current diagnostic
product portfolio consists of Signature(R) Genetic Testing and
Oncology Testing products as well as industry-leading controls and
standards engineered with its patented Armored RNA(R) 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(R) 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 world's 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 company's 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(R) are
registered trademarks owned or used by Affymetrix Inc.

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

Copyright Business Wire 2008