The Axiom™ Genotyping Solution Expands Content, Throughput, and Customizable Arrays on a Single Platform

SANTA CLARA, Calif.–Affymetrix, Inc. (Nasdaq:AFFX) today announced the launch of the Axiom Genotyping Solution, its next-generation array technology designed to match the significant rise in genetic content generated by government and privately funded sequencing projects. This high-throughput, automated platform enables researchers to find novel genetic variations associated with complex disease.

The Axiom Solution will support both whole-genome association and candidate gene association studies with a level of customization not currently available. Researchers will no longer be constrained by the content of fixed-panel arrays. The complete genotyping platform employs enzyme-mediated, single-base sequencing steps for specificity in conjunction with affordable, reproducible, and highly automated workflows.

The solution is configured to continually validate and incorporate the output of large-scale sequencing projects. Initial offerings are designed from public databases of human variations and cover historical HapMap data supplemented by subsequent releases of additional variants. In addition, Affymetrix is screening millions of putative SNPs and insertions/deletions that are being discovered by the 1000 Genomes Project and other sources, and will make these available to researchers using the Axiom Solution.

“Axiom technology has the capability to routinely screen, validate, and convert sequence variants into high-throughput assays,” said Dr. Keith Jones, vice president of assay and application development at Affymetrix. “A major strength of this new solution is the assay that allows random access to the genome, coupled with the accuracy of a highly specific, ligation-based approach.”

The solution consists of Axiom Array Plates, complete Axiom Reagent Kits, and an automated target preparation station developed jointly by Affymetrix and Beckman Coulter, and the GeneTitan™ Multi-Channel (MC) Instrument. The GeneTitan MC Instrument integrates a hybridization oven, fluidics processing, CCD imaging device, and analysis software for maximum data reproducibility, user productivity, and scalability.

With a single platform and as few as one-and-a-half full-time technicians, a laboratory can process more than 750 samples per week with unmatched, minimal user intervention. The first commercial products from this offering will support genome-wide association studies and are expected to be delivered to customers this month.

“The Axiom Solution is a revolution in customer choice and takes advantage of a technology model similar to the digital media industry,” said Kevin King, president and CEO of Affymetrix. “Pre-selected, store-bought music and video content have given way to powerful online digital databases that offer customers maximum flexibility. Researchers can now create their own ‘playlist’ in the form of custom arrays that deliver maximum scientific value to their research.”

Affymetrix will also offer Axiom Genotyping Services through the Affymetrix Research Services Laboratory (ARSL), which has run more than 250,000 genotyping samples to date, including a large portion of the Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium.

For more information on the Axiom Genotyping Solution, please visit www.axiom.affymetrix.com.

About Affymetrix

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 1,800 systems have been shipped around the world and more than 20,000 peer-reviewed papers have been published using the technology.

Affymetrix is headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., and has manufacturing facilities in 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 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. These and other risk factors are discussed in Affymetrix’ Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and other SEC reports for subsequent quarterly periods.

NOTE: Affymetrix, the Affymetrix logo and GeneChip® are registered trademarks owned or used by Affymetrix Inc.