Affymetrix Launches New GeneChip(R) Globin-Reduction Kits and
Protocol Developed with PreAnalytiX New Kits and Protocol Provide
Increased Assay Sensitivity for GeneChip Expression Analysis When
Working With Human Whole-Blood RNA Samples HOMBRECHTIKON,
Switzerland and SANTA CLARA, Calif., April 12
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Affymetrix Inc. (NASDAQ:AFFX), announced
today the launch of the new GeneChip(R) Globin-Reduction kits and
associated protocol developed in conjunction with PreAnalytiX -- a
joint venture between QIAGEN N.V. (Nasdaq: QGEN; Frankfurt, Prime
Standard: QIA) and BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company). The new kits
optimize the PreAnalytiX PAXgene(TM) Blood RNA System for use with
Affymetrix GeneChip technology and improve gene expression profile
results of cellular RNA extracted from whole blood. The combination
of the GeneChip Blood RNA Concentration Kit (featuring the PAXgene
Blood RNA System) and the GeneChip Globin-Reduction RNA Controls
standardizes all the steps of whole blood RNA processing -- from
sample stabilization to analysis on GeneChip microarrays. This has
been a major challenge in expression studies of whole blood, as
prior RNA preparation methods have often yielded expression results
with variable levels of sensitivity. Use of the Globin-Reduction
Protocol and associated reagent kits enables researchers to detect
subtle changes in gene expression by reducing the overwhelming
amounts of globin messenger RNA (mRNA) present in whole blood.
Large amounts of globin mRNA can significantly interfere with gene
expression assay results. High globin mRNA levels contributed from
a fraction of the red blood cells have typically masked the less
abundant, but more important, changes of gene expression associated
with white blood cells, such as lymphocytes and monocytes.
Counteracting the effects of globin mRNA during target preparation
significantly increases assay sensitivity on GeneChip arrays. The
GeneChip Globin Reduction Protocol links PreAnalytiX' already
proven standard for whole blood collection, stabilization and
isolation of RNA with Affymetrix' leading product line for
microarray-based analysis of whole blood cellular RNA profiles. "An
accurate picture of in vivo gene expression profiles is essential
for understanding gene regulation as it relates to different
disease states and a patient's response to drug therapy," said Noel
Doheny, Vice President of PreAnalytiX and QIAGEN. "We continue to
see a strong market trend towards the correlation of gene
expression profiles of whole blood and tissue samples. With the new
GeneChip Globin-Reduction Protocol and associated reagent kits,
standardization of the entire pre-analytical and analytical process
for whole blood gene expression profiling can now be accomplished."
"The ability of the PAXgene(TM) Blood RNA system to preserve RNA
expression levels from the time of sample collection to the time of
RNA isolation is a critical component to obtaining accurate gene
expression profiles," said Lianne McLean, Sr. Director, Gene
Expression Marketing, Affymetrix. "The optimized protocol, the
PAXgene system and the controls will significantly improve the
ability to obtain high quality profiles from blood, thus enabling
clinical research and collecting samples for multi-site clinical
trials." About PreAnalytiX GmbH: The purpose of PreAnalytiX GmbH, a
Swiss-based joint venture between BD (Becton, Dickinson and
Company) and QIAGEN N.V., is to develop, manufacture, and market
integrated systems for the collection, stabilization, and
purification of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) for molecular
diagnostic testing. The first product from PreAnalytiX, the
PAXgene(TM) Blood RNA System, was launched in April 2001, and has
set a new standard for stabilizing whole blood cellular RNA
profiles at the time of blood collection in an evacuated blood
collection tube. This enables researchers and clinicians to perform
more accurate analysis of gene expression profiles without the
variations caused by sample collection, storage, transport or
fractionation while relying on highly standardized and proven
sample collection principles. Additional information on PreAnalytiX
can be found under http://www.preanalytix.com/ . 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 1,200 systems have
been shipped around the world and over 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. Affymetrix is
headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., with manufacturing facilities
in Sacramento, Calif., and Bedford, Mass. The company maintains
important sales and marketing operations in Europe and Asia and has
about 900 employees worldwide. 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, product development,
market acceptance (including uncertainties relating to product
development and market acceptance of the GeneChip Globin-Reduction
kits and associated protocol), 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. About
QIAGEN: QIAGEN N.V., a Netherlands holding company with
subsidiaries in Germany, the United States, Japan, the United
Kingdom, Switzerland, France, Italy, Australia, Norway, Austria,
Canada, and the Netherlands believes it is the world's leading
provider of innovative enabling technologies and products for the
separation, purification and handling of nucleic acids. QIAGEN has
developed a comprehensive portfolio of more than 320 proprietary,
consumable products for nucleic acid and protein separation,
purification and handling, nucleic acid amplification, as well as
automated instrumentation, synthetic nucleic acid products and
related services. QIAGEN's products are sold in more than 42
countries throughout the world to academic research markets and to
leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. In addition,
QIAGEN is positioning its products for sale into developing
commercial markets, including DNA sequencing and genomics, nucleic
acid-based molecular diagnostics, and genetic vaccination and gene
therapy. QIAGEN employs approximately 1,400 people worldwide.
Further information on QIAGEN can be found at
http://www.qiagen.com/. Certain statements contained in this news
release may be considered forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended. To the extent that any of the statements
contained herein relating to QIAGEN's products, markets, strategy
or operating results are forward-looking, such statements are based
on current expectations that involve a number of uncertainties and
risks. Such uncertainties and risks include, but are not limited
to, risks associated with management of growth and international
operations (including the effects of currency fluctuations and
risks of dependency on logistics), variability of operating
results, the commercial development of the DNA sequencing, genomics
and proteomics markets, nucleic acid-based molecular diagnostics
market, and genetic vaccination and gene therapy markets,
competition, rapid or unexpected changes in technologies,
fluctuations in demand for QIAGEN's products (including seasonal
fluctuations), difficulties in successfully adapting QIAGEN's
products to integrated solutions and producing such products, the
ability of QIAGEN to identify and develop new products and to
differentiate its products from competitors, market acceptance of
QIAGEN's new products and the integration of acquisitions of
technologies and businesses. For further information, refer to the
discussion in reports that QIAGEN has filed with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). DATASOURCE: Affymetrix,
Inc. CONTACT: Peer M. Schatz, Chief Executive Officer of QIAGEN
N.V., +49-2103-2911-702, or ; or Dr. Solveigh Mahler, Director,
Investor Relations of QIAGEN GmbH, +49-2103-2911-710, or ; or Noel
Doheny, Vice President Solutions for Molecular Diagnostics of
QIAGEN Sciences, Inc., +1-240-686-7622, or ; or media, Wes Conard,
Director, Public Relations, +1-408-731-5791, or investors, Doug
Farrell, Vice President, Investor Relations, +1-408-731-5285, both
of Affymetrix, Inc. Web site: http://www.qiagen.com/ Web site:
http://www.preanalytix.com/ Web site: http://www.affymetrix.com/
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