Epigenomics AG and Affymetrix Announce Strategic Diagnostics Platform Agreement

The agreement complements Epigenomics' previously announcedstrategic alliance with Qiagen N.V. for sample preparation. Together,with the Affymetrix arrays and DNA analysis instrumentation,Epigenomics can now provide a complete platform for its pathologytests based on its proprietary DNA methylation methods. The firstproducts based on this platform will be pathology tests in prostateand breast cancer. As the first example, Epigenomics is planning totransfer its Molecular Classification Test (MCT) for prostate canceronto the Affymetrix platform to use it in the pivotal clinical trialfor FDA approval of the assay, which is scheduled to start next year.

"The agreement is another important step to turn Epigenomics intoan integrated diagnostics company," said Alexander Olek, CEO ofEpigenomics. "It has been our main focus over the last year to obtaingold-standard solutions for our own diagnostic products so that we canstart marketing must-have diagnostic products meeting the highestindustry standards. The 'Powered by Affymetrix' program allows us tojoin in to the Affymetrix open platform concept, which alreadyprovides Affymetrix diagnostic partners, among them several globalplayers, with an excellent opportunity to benefit mutually from theirrespective strong placement power."

"Last year, we closed a strategic alliance with Qiagen to developa cutting-edge solution portfolio for sample preparation," Olek added."While the Qiagen alliance will provide us with robust, reliable, andeasy-to-use kits for the preparation of clinical samples to enable theactual DNA methylation test, the agreement with Affymetrix now addsthe industry standard for DNA analysis. As a result, our customerswill get the world's leading technologies for rapid and reliable DNAmethylation analysis."

"The microarray-based tools and applications in the Powered byAffymetrix(TM) program are accelerating the discovery and developmentof oncology companion and predictive diagnostics in this era ofmolecular medicine," said Noel Doheny, senior vice president,Molecular Diagnostics at Affymetrix. "We are pleased that anotherinnovator in the diagnostic field like Epigenomics has adopted ourproven technology platform for its in vitro diagnostic products."

Under the Powered by Affymetrix program, companies licensetechnology from Affymetrix to develop innovative microarray products.This includes the GeneChip(R) System 3000Dx (GCS3000Dx), the firstmicroarray instrumentation system for molecular diagnosticlaboratories. The GCS3000Dx has been granted regulatory clearance bythe U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is CE marked in the EuropeanUnion for in-vitro diagnostic use. The custom-designed technology isbeing used in many applications, including clinical diagnostics,forensics, animal, industrial, and food testing.

About DNA methylation

Methylation is a natural epigenetic process that occurs when amethyl group binds to one of DNA's four bases, cytosine. The presenceof methylation is responsible for controlling the activity of genes byturning them off, like a switch, when not needed. By measuring thedifferences in the methylation patterns between healthy and diseasedtissue, a change in gene activity that could trigger diseases such ascancer is detected. Epigenomics has developed an industrial processthat is able to read and interpret these methylation patterns.

About Epigenomics

Epigenomics is a molecular diagnostic company with a focus on thedevelopment of novel products for cancer. By detecting andinterpreting DNA methylation patterns, Epigenomics' tests canpotentially diagnose disease at an early stage and help guidephysicians to select an appropriate therapy. Epigenomics collaborateswith Roche Diagnostics on the development of several diagnosticproducts in cancer. The company has its headquarters in Berlin,Germany, and a wholly owned subsidiary in Seattle, USA. For moreinformation, please visit our website at www.epigenomics.com.

About Affymetrix

Affymetrix scientists invented the world's first microarray in1989 and began selling the first commercial microarray in 1994. Sincethen, Affymetrix GeneChip(R) technology has become the industrystandard in molecular biology research. Affymetrix technology is usedby the world's top pharmaceutical, diagnostic and biotechnologycompanies as well as leading academic, government and not-for-profitresearch institutes. More than 1,400 systems have been installedaround the world and nearly 4,000 peer-reviewed papers have beenpublished using the technology. Affymetrix' patented photolithographicmanufacturing process provides the most information capacity availabletoday on an array, enabling researchers to use a whole-genome approachto analyzing the relationship between genetics and health. Affymetrixis headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., with subsidiaries in Europeand Asia, as well as manufacturing facilities in Sacramento, Calif.,and Bedford, Mass. The company has about 1,000 employees worldwide.For more information about Affymetrix, please visit the company's Website at www.Affymetrix.com.

All statements in this press release that are not historical are"forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of theSecurities Exchange Act as amended, including statements regardingAffymetrix' "expectations," "beliefs," "hopes," "intentions,""strategies," or the like. Such statements are subject to risks anduncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially forAffymetrix from those projected, including, but not limited to:uncertainties relating to the commercial and technological success ofthe agreement between Epigenomics and Affymetrix discussed in thispress release; risks of the Company's ability to achieve and sustainhigher levels of revenue, higher gross margins, reduced operatingexpenses; uncertainties relating to technological approaches,manufacturing (including risks related to the Company's ability toachieve hoped-for manufacturing yields for certain array products,including the ability to identify and resolve manufacturing problems),product development; personnel retention; uncertainties related tocost and pricing of Affymetrix products; dependence on collaborativepartners; uncertainties relating to sole source suppliers;uncertainties relating to FDA and other regulatory approvals;competition; risks relating to intellectual property of others and theuncertainties of patent protection and litigation. These and otherrisk factors are discussed in Affymetrix' Form 10-K for the year endedDecember 31, 2005, and other SEC reports, including its QuarterlyReports on Form 10-Q for subsequent quarterly periods. Affymetrixexpressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publiclyany updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements containedherein to reflect any change in Affymetrix' expectations with regardthereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on whichany such statements are based.

NOTE: Affymetrix, the Affymetrix logo, and GeneChip are registeredtrademarks owned or used by Affymetrix Inc.

Disclaimer

This communication expressly or implicitly contains certainforward-looking statements concerning Epigenomics AG and its business.Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertaintiesand other factors which could cause the actual results, financialcondition, performance or achievements of Epigenomics AG to bematerially different from any future results, performance orachievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.Epigenomics AG is providing this communication as of this date anddoes not undertake to update any forward-looking statements containedherein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.