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Affymetrix and CureSearch Children's Oncology Group to Discover and Validate Gene Expression Signatures for Common Childhood Cancers

Posted on: Tuesday, 25 October 2005, 09:01 CDT

GeneChip(R) Microarray Technology Used to Identify and Measure Genetic Information Associated with Leukemia, Brain Tumors and Other Solid Tumors

Affymetrix Inc. (Nasdaq:AFFX) and the CureSearch Children's Oncology Group (COG) announced today that they have entered into a collaboration to discover and validate gene expression signatures, or genetic fingerprints, for a number of common childhood cancers, including leukemia and sarcoma, a common solid tumor. The two organizations will work together using Affymetrix' GeneChip(R) microarray technology and COG's existing databank of more than 20,000 tumor samples.

"This translational medicine agreement will create a synergistic opportunity for COG as a clinical trials organization, the NCI as its sponsor, and industry to identify and validate potentially drugable molecular targets for pediatric cancers in a more efficient and effective manner than any one of us might accomplish alone," said Gregory Reaman, chair of COG.

Cancer causes more childhood deaths than any other disease and is responsible for more than 2,500 fatalities each year. COG is the only National Cancer Institute- (NCI) supported collaborative research network dedicated to conducting research and clinical trials to cure childhood cancer. The network includes every pediatric cancer program in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand as well as several European centers. As the largest childhood cancer research organization in the world, COG has significant impact on the basic research being done in childhood cancer and in the conduct of clinical trials in pediatric oncology.

"This agreement will greatly facilitate COG's widespread research into the genetic basis of childhood cancer using Affymetrix technology," said Timothy Triche, associate chair of COG for Translational Research. "We expect more COG investigators will now be able to exploit this technology and create a common database of genetic information across all childhood cancer."

In a first step towards developing new cancer diagnostics, COG scientists will use Affymetrix microarrays to find genes that are similarly expressed among a group of children who share the same disease. That group of genes, called a gene expression profile or "cancer signature," will act as a genetic fingerprint for the cancer. Physicians can then use that fingerprint to test other patients for cancer, enabling them to diagnose and treat the disease early before irreversible symptoms develop.

"Affymetrix-based gene expression signatures not only provide a robust platform for improved diagnostics and prognosis in childhood cancer, but they can also unlock key information that allows us to design novel therapeutics for children with malignant diseases," said Poul Sorensen, chair of COG's Biopathology and Translational Research Committee. "We are thrilled to be working with Affymetrix on achieving this important goal."

"Translational research is a critical first step to fighting the war on cancer, especially with children and adolescents," said Steve Lombardi, senior vice president of Product Marketing and Development at Affymetrix. "As the world's largest childhood cancer research organization, the CureSearch Children's Oncology Group continues to be at the forefront of scientific and clinical breakthroughs. Affymetrix is excited to help identify the genetic causes of these deadly diseases and accelerate the development of a new personalized approach to treatment."

Affymetrix collaborates with academic institutions and patient advocacy groups through the company's translational medicine program to develop more effective treatments. Affymetrix GeneChip microarray technology helps researchers tailor treatments for individual patients by identifying and measuring the genetic information associated with complex diseases. The translational medicine program complements the Powered by Affymetrix(TM) program, which enables companies to license GeneChip technology to develop innovative microarray products. This custom-designed technology is being used in many applications, including diagnostics, forensics, animal, industrial and food testing.

About the Children's Oncology Group

The CureSearch Children's Oncology Group is a network of more than 5,000 physicians, nurses and scientists at more than 200 member institutions. It is unique in its ability to systematically conduct and assess multiple research and treatment results across the globe. For more information, please visit www.curesearch.org.

About Affymetrix

Affymetrix scientists invented the world's first microarray in 1989 and began selling the first commercial microarray in 1994. Since then, Affymetrix GeneChip(R) technology has become the industry standard in molecular biology research. 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 1,300 systems have been shipped around the world and more than 3,000 peer-reviewed papers have been published using the technology. Affymetrix' patented photolithographic manufacturing process provides the most information capacity available today on an array, enabling researchers to use a whole-genome approach to analyze the relationship between genetics and health. Headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., Affymetrix has subsidiaries in Europe and Asia in addition to manufacturing facilities in Sacramento, Calif. and Bedford, Mass. The company has about 1,000 employees worldwide. For more information about Affymetrix, please visit the company's website at www.Affymetrix.com.

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 of the Company's ability to achieve and sustain higher levels of revenue, higher gross margins, reduced operating expenses; uncertainties relating to technological approaches, manufacturing (including risks related to the Company's ability to achieve hoped-for manufacturing yields for certain array products, including the ability to identify and resolve manufacturing problems), product development (including uncertainties relating to commercial and technological success of the strategic alliance between the Children's Oncology Group and Affymetrix discussed in this press release); personnel retention; uncertainties related to cost and pricing of Affymetrix products; dependence on collaborative partners; uncertainties relating to sole source suppliers; 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, 2004 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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