New Array Center Will Benefit Affymetrix Investors and Customers

SANTA CLARA, Calif.–Affymetrix, Inc. (Nasdaq:AFFX) today announced the earlier-than-anticipated achievement of two key milestones in its plan to consolidate array manufacturing, set a new standard in reagent capabilities, and relocate US product distribution. That plan is part of a broader three-part strategic initiative to return Affymetrix to growth and market leadership by 1) reengineering the company’s technology platform, 2) entering the new, higher-growth markets of validation and routine testing, and 3) improving operating leverage.

Affymetrix has consolidated all microarray manufacturing activities within its plant in Singapore, and moved all US distribution activities from Sacramento, California to a center operated by UPS in Louisville, Kentucky. These milestones were achieved three months ahead of schedule.

“These changes will create significant operating leverage for Affymetrix,” said Kevin King, president and CEO of Affymetrix. “As a result, our manufacturing capabilities are significantly more efficient and in turn will lower our products costs and improve our gross margin. Now that all of our consolidation activities are complete, we anticipate annual savings on the order of $20 to $25 million.”

“Affymetrix’ decision to consolidate its entire microarray manufacturing activities in its Singapore facility, within three years of establishing operations here, is a strong vote of confidence for Singapore’s competitiveness,” said Dr. Beh Swan Gin, managing director, Singapore Economic Development Board. “With this expansion, Singapore will account for more than half of the global supply of microarrays, which are increasingly used by scientists to better understand complex disease biologies, and to identify predisposition to disease.”

Array Manufacture

With the completion of its array manufacturing consolidation efforts in Singapore, Affymetrix becomes the first US life sciences company to take full advantage of the economic benefits offered in Asia.

“Customers of a relatively young industry such as biotech expect suppliers like Affymetrix to be nimble and take advantage of global opportunities to cut costs and improve delivery options,” said Wayne Woodard, senior vice president, global operations. “In addition to fulfilling those needs, Singapore provides access to a highly skilled workforce, has a strong tradition of protecting intellectual property, and offers a stable geopolitical climate.”

The Singapore facility achieved ISO 13845 certification in November, 2008.

Distribution for the Americas

Simultaneously, Affymetrix has outsourced all of its distribution for the Americas region to the UPS healthcare facility in Louisville, Kentucky, located three miles from UPS’s largest global air hub.

Affymetrix chose UPS because it provides integrated supply chain solutions specifically designed to support life science companies like Affymetrix, including temperature-sensitive transportation and storage, in-transit proactive monitoring, and a validated warehouse management system. These solutions will enable Affymetrix to have an even stronger commitment to customer satisfaction. Affymetrix America customers will still deal directly with Affymetrix Customer Service agents who will allocate product directly out of UPS’s state-of-the-art and fully compliant distribution facility.

“UPS is delighted to partner with Affymetrix to streamline their supply chain and improve customer service,” said Bill Hook, vice president of global strategy, UPS Healthcare Logistics. “The supply chain flexibility Affymetrix has now gained will allow them to better respond to evolving industry and customer demands.”

Reagent Center of Excellence

Affymetrix is making good progress on the consolidation of reagent manufacturing into a new Reagent Center of Excellence in Warrensville Heights, Ohio. The new center, which opened on May 11, 2009, will create 61 jobs for the local community over the course of three years. The facility has achieved ISO 13485 certification.

Affymetrix is also on track to complete instrument outsourcing activities around the middle of this year.

About Affymetrix, Inc.

Affymetrix® 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 1,800 systems have been shipped around the world and more than 18,000 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, including, but not limited to: risks and uncertainties relating to commercial success of the agreement with UPS, 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, 2008, 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.

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