Comprehensive, Microarray-Based Analysis Designed Specifically for Cytogeneticists

SANTA CLARA, Calif.–Today, Affymetrix, Inc. (Nasdaq: AFFX) launched its next-generation series of products for cytogenetics. The entirely new solution, which includes arrays, reagents, and software, enables fast and reliable detection of known and novel chromosome aberrations.

“We worked closely with the cytogenetics community to develop these products,” said Jay Kaufman, vice president of product marketing at Affymetrix. “We identified critical and high-demand features specific to cytogenetics studies, and leveraged our proven microarray platform to develop products that delivered those features. Then, we streamlined and simplified workflows and protocols from sample preparation to data analysis to help ensure success of all users—both those who have prior microarray experience and those who are new to the technology.”

The next-generation Affymetrix® Cytogenetics Solution brings comprehensive microarray-based genetic analysis capabilities to a broader range of scientists than ever before, delivering high-value, customer-focused benefits, including confidence, simplicity, and flexibility.

The new solution delivers consistently high performance for discovery and detection of chromosome aberrations, so users can be highly confident in the results. With development guided by cytogeneticists, the products are targeted to the specific needs of users. The Affymetrix® Cytogenetics Whole-Genome 2.7M Array and Cytogenetics Focused Array include copy number (CN) and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) content to identify loss of heterozygosity (LOH), uniparental disomy (UPD), and regions identical-by-descent.

With the Whole-Genome 2.7M Array, users can detect the broadest range of known and novel chromosome aberrations that affect phenotype. The array provides unbiased, whole-genome coverage with 2.7 million markers, including 400,000 SNPs, to offer superior resolution and enable detection of even the smallest structural changes and regions of autozygosity. The Focused Array includes more than 330,000 markers to enable efficient detection of aberrations within focused regions of known cytogenetic importance. At the same time, it maintains a backbone of markers at 16 kb spacing to provide whole-genome coverage. Both arrays offer dense coverage of cytogenetic hot spots, including haploinsufficiency genes, cancer genes, and regions associated with microdeletion syndromes.

The new Affymetrix® Cytogenetics Assay has been simplified and streamlined. Tedious polymerase chain reaction (PCR) steps and restriction digests have been eliminated to save users time and money, reduce operator error, and deliver reliable results from one run to the next. In fact, the entire assay requires only three hours of hands-on time.

The next-generation cytogenetics solution offers a very high degree of flexibility to users. Featuring only the analysis and reporting functions that users need, the entirely new Affymetrix® Chromosome Analysis Suite provides unlimited options for data visualization and customized analysis in an easy-to-use graphical interface. Further, with two arrays—a whole-genome and a focused array—users have the flexibility to select the content and price point that best match their needs.

“We are confident that our next-generation solution offers cytogenetists the best overall approach for discovery and detection of chromosome aberrations,” said Frank Witney, chief commercial officer at Affymetrix. “No other set of commercial catalog products offers the combination of high-resolution, cytogenetics-specific, and whole-genome CN and SNP content, a streamlined and simplified assay protocol, and software that offers almost unlimited options for data visualization, analysis, and reporting.”

Affymetrix Cytogenetics Products are for research use only; not for use in diagnostic procedures.

About Affymetrix

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 16,000 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.

Forward-looking Statements

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