AFFX Affymetrix, Inc.

Rockefeller University to Study Genetic Roots of Obesity-Related Diseases Via Whole Genome Association Scans - High density GeneChip(R) research arrays to be used in comprehensive association study - SANTA CLARA, Calif., June 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Affymetrix, Inc., (NASDAQ:AFFX) announced today that scientists at The Rockefeller University will use GeneChip(R) arrays to genotype more than 3,200 individuals at high density across the genome in one of the first large-scale genome-wide association studies ever undertaken. The Rockefeller research group includes Dr. Jeff Friedman, Dr. Jan Breslow, and Dr. Markus Stoffel, who will focus on discovering the genetic variations associated with obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes in virtually the entire adult population of the Micronesian island of Kosrae. (For an interactive version of this press release with additional information, please go to http://www.affymetrix.com/pr and click on the release title) "We've been wanting to do this experiment for a long time, but simply didn't have tools with the needed power and resolution to get detailed genetic answers to define the associations between specific genes and obesity," said Dr. Friedman, Director of the Starr Center for Human Genetics and the university's Marilyn M. Simpson Professor. Dr. Friedman also is a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator. Friedman has been studying obesity-related disease in Kosrae for the past ten years because of the unique population in which obesity was virtually non- existent prior to World War II. Following the arrival of U.S. aid and food relief, the people of Kosrae changed their traditional diet of fish, fruit, and vegetables for fattier foods. Within a single generation, much of the population developed obesity, while others with the same diet habits did not. Now, Rockefeller scientists are trying to identify the exact genetic variations explaining why only some individuals developed obesity. The source of these variations may come from the unique genetic make up of Kosrae. Kosrae was founded nearly 2,000 years ago by about 50 Polynesians, but later in the mid- to late-19th century, Caucasian whalers visited and in many cases settled on the island. The modern Caucasian/Polynesian genetic mix and the clear distribution of obesity within the population make Kosrae ideal for this kind of genetic association study. Scientists from the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University will play a role in analyzing the data generated in this study. "We are delighted to collaborate in this study with Rockefeller University and Affymetrix," said David Altshuler, Director of Medical and Population Genetics at Broad. "The unique population history of Kosrae and the wonderful phenotypic data that Dr. Friedman and his colleagues have collected makes this one of the most promising opportunities in which to start doing genome-wide association studies. In addition, Affymetrix has dramatically advanced the field's ability to perform genome-wide SNP genotyping with its new 100K Set and continued innovation to higher SNP densities, making GeneChip arrays an excellent platform for these studies." The Rockefeller scientists also are collaborating with HHMI investigator Richard P. Lifton, of Yale University School of Medicine. Previously, generating over 100,000 genotypes would have required over 100,000 PCR reactions, a hurdle that made this kind of research impractical. However, GeneChip array-based genotyping is now enabling individual scientists, like Friedman and colleagues, to perform these large-scale whole- genome studies. The collaboration plans to genotype SNPs from the new GeneChip Mapping 100K Array Set, with over 115,000 SNPs. The collaboration also plans to study 100,000 additional SNPs (up to 215,000 total) that may be relevant for the Micronesian population. About half of the SNPs are from public databases, while the other half are from the SNP database discovered by Perlegen Sciences, Inc. "We are enthusiastic to support this unique Rockefeller University project to identify genetic causes of obesity and major related diseases like cardiovascular disease and diabetes," said Greg Yap, Sr. Marketing Director, DNA Analysis of Affymetrix, Inc. "These genome wide association studies require high resolution, and our Mapping 100K Set is the first in a family of products to meet this need. Because of the unique genetic makeup of the Kosrae population, we have, in close collaboration with Dr. Friedman, supplemented the 100K with additional SNPs that may be informative in this population. Researchers can start generating and analyzing useful data with 100K today, and our easy, affordable genotyping assay makes it possible to add as many SNPs as desired." The 100K Set, the first product to start enabling genome-wide association studies, is now available under an expanded technology access program and will formally launch this summer. Although the research arrays used in this collaboration are not broadly available, Affymetrix is using this collaboration to help accelerate development of next generation arrays with additional SNPs. About Affymetrix: Affymetrix is a pioneer in creating breakthrough tools that are driving the genomic revolution. By applying the principles of semiconductor technology to the life sciences, Affymetrix develops and commercializes systems that enable scientists to improve quality of life. The Company's customers include pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agrichemical, diagnostics and consumer products companies as well as academic, government and other non- profit research institutes. Affymetrix offers an expanding portfolio of integrated products and services, including its integrated GeneChip brand platform, to address growing markets focused on understanding the relationship between genes and human health. Additional information on Affymetrix can be found at http://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, product development, market acceptance (including uncertainties relating to product development, use and market acceptance of the GeneChip(R) Mapping 100K Array or related research arrays), 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, 2003 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. About Rockefeller University: A total of 23 Nobel Prize winning scientists -- including its president Paul Nurse, Ph.D. -- are associated with this unique research university, founded in 1901 and located in New York City. The university's over 70 major laboratories conduct research in the biological and biomedical sciences. For more information: http://www.rockefeller.edu/. (A brief article about the Kosrae study is posted at http://www.rockefeller.edu/pub/discoveries/syndrome_x.php) NOTE: Affymetrix, the Affymetrix logo, and GeneChip are registered trademarks owned or used by Affymetrix, Inc. DATASOURCE: Affymetrix, Inc. CONTACT: Media - Wes Conard, Associate Director, Public Relations of Affymetrix, Inc., +1-408-731-5791; Cathy Yarbrough, Vice President, Communications and Public Affairs of Rockefeller University, +1-212-327-7121; Investor - Doug Farrell, Vice President, Investor Relations of Affymetrix, Inc., +1-408-731-5285 Web site: http://www.affymetrix.com/ http://www.rockefeller.edu/

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