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The Coriell Institute for Medical Research Selects Affymetrix SNP Array 6.0 for Delaware Valley Personalized Medicine Project

Posted on: Wednesday, 5 December 2007, 09:01 CST

Affymetrix Inc. (Nasdaq:AFFX) announced today that the Coriell Institute for Medical Research will use the Affymetrix Genome-Wide Human SNP Array 6.0 for a series of whole-genome association studies for the Delaware Valley Personalized Medicine Project (DVPMP). Scientists will use the Affymetrix genotyping platform to identify genes that affect the risk of developing cancer, heart and blood vessel diseases, lung disease, as well as stroke and other complex health conditions. The results of the study will provide researchers with a better understanding of these diseases, which should lead to more effective, personalized treatments for patients.

Under the leadership of new President and CEO Michael F. Christman, Ph.D., the Coriell Institute for Medical Research has established a state-of-the-art genotyping and microarray center and formed close partnerships with several Delaware Valley hospitals, including Fox Chase Cancer Center, Cooper University Hospital and Virtua Health, to enroll patient volunteers in a research study that will correlate individual patient genome profiles with disease course and treatment outcomes. This information will enable scientists from around the world to better understand why patients respond differently to treatments. The DVPMP will also explore how the resulting information can best be viewed and utilized by patients themselves and their physicians in a secure, user-friendly web browser-based system.

"The Delaware Valley Personalized Medicine Project is a forward-thinking, joint effort involving patient volunteers, physicians, scientists, ethicists and information technology experts," said Dr. Christman. "This project was designed to allow patients to benefit from the advances of genome-informed medical practice, while ensuring that patient privacy is vigorously protected."

In contrast to for-profit personal genome companies, the DVPMP aims to explore the use of genetic risk factors in clinical decision making. This approach allows participants to consult with their own physician about their risk variants and to make important decisions about preventive care and proper medical treatments.

The research team at Coriell will use the Affymetrix technology to conduct whole-genome association studies on DNA samples from 10,000 individuals initially, with the ultimate goal of reaching 100,000 participants. The Affymetrix SNP Array 6.0 is a single microarray that simultaneously measures more than 1.8 million markers for genetic variation. The array enables researchers to perform the most powerful whole-genome association and copy number studies ever by genotyping more markers across more individuals at a lower cost per sample. These higher-powered studies increase the probability of discovering genes associated with complex diseases.

"The Delaware Valley Personalized Medicine Project is another powerful example of how the Affymetrix SNP Array 6.0 is making a significant impact on human disease research, prevention and treatment," said Kevin King, president of Affymetrix. "Scientists are now running higher-powered, larger-scale studies to better detect genes associated with complex diseases and tailor treatments for individual patients."

All DVPMP participants will be able to view medically relevant information about their genomic profiles through a secure web browser-based system. The participants will control their genetic profiles and medical data, and their physicians will be required to obtain access from the participant in order to view any information. Participants will be able to determine whether the information will become part of their personal medical records. A variety of educational material on genomics and medicine will also be provided through streaming video, downloads and seminars. There is no charge to study participants.

For more information about the SNP Array 6.0, please visit: http://www.affymetrix.com/genechip/snp6.affx

For more information about other whole-genome association studies led by Dr. Christman using Affymetrix technology, please visit:

Researchers discover genetic variant associated with obesity in humans: http://www.microarraybulletin.com/community/article.php?p=133

First African American Genome Scan for Disease Genes: http://www.affymetrix.com/userForum/news/collaborations/ ChristmanVideo.uf (Due to its length, this URL may need to be copied/pasted into your Internet browser's address field. Remove the extra space if one exists.)

About the Coriell Institute for Medical Research

The Coriell Institute for Medical Research is an internationally known, not-for-profit, biomedical research institution headquartered in Camden, N.J. Founded in 1953, the Institute conducts research on cancer, human genetic variation, mechanisms of cellular differentiation and other genetic disorders. Coriell is the world's leading biobank resource for human cells and recently established a state-of-the-art genotyping and microarray center. For more information, please visit http://coriell.org

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 world's top pharmaceutical, diagnostic and biotechnology companies, as well as leading academic, government and not-for-profit research institutes. More than 1,600 systems have been shipped around the world and more than 10,500 peer-reviewed papers have been published using the technology.

Affymetrix is headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., and has manufacturing facilities in Sacramento, Calif., 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, including, but not limited to: risks and uncertainties associated with the agreement with the Coriell Institute for Medical Research discussed in this press release, including the use of the results of the studies to be conducted pursuant to such agreement; risks of the company's ability to achieve and sustain higher levels of revenue, higher gross margins and reduced operating expenses; uncertainties relating to technological approaches, manufacturing and product development; personnel retention; uncertainties related to cost and pricing of Affymetrix products; dependence on collaborative partners; uncertainties relating to sole-source suppliers; risks associated with 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, 2006, 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.

Source: Business Wire

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