New Protocols Will Help Accelerate Vital Gene Expression Research for Cancer and Other Complex Diseases

SANTA CLARA, Calif.–Affymetrix Inc. (Nasdaq:AFFX – News) today announced the launch of its 3’ IVT Express Kit, a faster and more reliable option for manual target preparation on Affymetrix’ industry-standard 3’ IVT array cartridges. The kit offers new streamlined protocols and requires less starting sample material, enabling researchers to generate high-quality gene expression results faster than before.

Using less starting material is of benefit to cancer researchers because samples are precious. The 3’ IVT Express Kit requires only 50 ng per sample, which is up to up to 20 times less than the previous One Cycle Kit. The other key benefit is that assays can be run in just one day with 500 ng of starting material input versus two days with the One Cycle Kit. This allows assays to be completed overnight.

“As a core lab about two-thirds of the sample sizes we receive are small, so the decreased input required by Affymetrix’ new kit is a huge advantage,” said Daniel Tessier, senior director, Operations and Business Development, McGill University and Génome Québec Innovation Centre. “We have been testing the 3’ IVT Express Kit and we have found that it has radically sped up our ability to process samples and deliver high-quality results for researchers across Canada and beyond.”

“Affymetrix has set the standard in the industry for whole-genome 3’ expression arrays with thousands of peer-reviewed publications citing the technology,” said Kevin King, president of Affymetrix. “The more affordable 3’ IVT Express Kit simplifies the workflow process for our customers and enables them to make discoveries and publish results faster than before. The smaller sample requirements should open the door to new research that will increase our ability to understand how genes are expressed in complex diseases, especially relating to cancer.”

For more information on the Affymetrix 3’ IVT Express Kit, please visit: http://www.affymetrix.com/genechip/ivtexpress.affx.

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 1,700 systems have been shipped around the world and more than 13,000 peer-reviewed papers have been published using the technology.

Affymetrix is headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., and has manufacturing facilities in Sacramento, Calif., 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.

About Génome Québec

Génome Québec is a private non-profit organization whose mission is to reinforce Québec’s innovation system in genomics by financing major genomics research initiatives. Investments of more than $400 million since 2001 have contributed to accelerate the discovery of new applications such as screening tests, therapeutic tools in human health or new environmental procedures in agriculture and forestry. The funds invested by Génome Québec come from the ministère du Développement économique, de l’Innovation et de l’Exportation of Québec, the Government of Canada through Genome Canada and from private partners. To find out more about Génome Québec and genomics, visit its Web site at www.genomequebec.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 relating to commercial success of the Affymetrix 3’ IVT Express Kit discussed in this press release; risks of the company’s ability to achieve and sustain higher levels of revenue, higher gross margins and reduced operating expenses; uncertainties related to technological approaches, manufacturing and product development; personnel retention; uncertainties related to cost and pricing of Affymetrix products; dependence on collaborative partners; uncertainties related to sole-source suppliers; risks associated with past and future 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, 2007, 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.