LineaGen Selects Affymetrix Technology to Discover Genes Associated With Autism and Multiple Sclerosis

Affymetrix Inc. (Nasdaq:AFFX) and LineaGen Inc. today announced that a team of prominent researchers at the University of Utah and Vanderbilt University are leveraging Utah’s deep domain expertise in human genetic research and the Affymetrix Genome-Wide Human SNP Array 6.0 to discover genetic markers associated with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Autism. Scientists led by Mark Leppert, Ph.D., professor and co-chair of the Department of Human Genetics at the University of Utah, are using the Affymetrix technology and LineaGen’s business domain expertise to generate and analyze genetic information from large multiplex Utah pedigrees, with corresponding decades’ worth of longitudinal clinical data. It is anticipated that the resulting information will provide researchers with greater understanding of these diseases, and enable more effective use of existing treatments and the development of novel molecular diagnostics and therapies. MS is an unpredictable disease that attacks healthy tissue in the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. Approximately 400,000 Americans have MS, and every week 200 more are diagnosed. The disease affects an estimated 2.5 million people around the world.2 Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are characterized as a group of neurological disorders that lead to significant impairments in social interaction and communication, which typically last throughout an autistic person’s lifetime. There is no known cure for Autism, and little is known about its causes. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that as many as 1 in 150 children in the United States are diagnosed with an ASD.3 "We chose the Affymetrix SNP Array 6.0 because of its comprehensive genetic content, and its ability to analyze both SNP and copy number variations,” said Dr. Leppert. "We have a valuable and unique genetic population resource at the University of Utah and now we can cost-effectively conduct larger-scale studies to determine the genetic associations of common diseases like MS and Autism.” The Affymetrix arrays will be run in the lab of Shawn Levy, Ph.D., director of the Vanderbilt Microarray Shared Resource at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. "We are excited to be working with the team at the University of Utah on this study, which will provide us with greater insight into the genetic causes of diseases like MS and Autism, which continue to baffle researchers after decades of research efforts,” said Dr. Levy. "The Affymetrix Array 6.0 is already delivering extremely high-quality results and we’re seeing unprecedented call rates.” The project is being managed and funded by LineaGen, a content-based biomarker discovery company focused on commercializing novel, patentable diagnostic tests that will lead to personalized healthcare regimens. "In seeking to further understand the genetic basis of MS and Autism, two of the more complex and challenging disorders which currently affect millions of people, it is essential that we work with the best research partners and genetic technologies available,” said Michael Paul, Ph.D., president and CEO of LineaGen. "This is why we have chosen to work with the University of Utah researchers uniquely qualified to analyze the Utah Population Database, and with Affymetrix and value-added partners such as Vanderbilt.” "The most important metric of a whole-genome association study is the genetic power,” said Kevin King, president of Affymetrix. "The Affymetrix SNP Array 6.0 is the platform for genetic breakthroughs because it combines comprehensive genetic coverage and a cost-effective price per sample. Customers like the University of Utah, Vanderbilt and LineaGen are now able to perform higher-powered studies than ever before on diseases that affect millions of people around the world.” The Affymetrix SNP Array 6.0 is a single microarray that simultaneously measures more than 1.8 million markers for genetic variation. The array enables researchers to perform the most powerful whole-genome association and copy number studies ever by genotyping more markers across more individuals at a lower cost per sample. These higher-powered studies increase the probability of discovering genes associated with adverse drug response or complex diseases. For more information about the SNP Array 6.0, please visit: http://www.affymetrix.com/genechip/snp6.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 11,000 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 LineaGen LineaGen (www.lineagen.com) is a content-based biomarker discovery company focused on the commercialization of novel, patentable diagnostic tests that enable effective personalized medicine and healthcare. One of LineaGen’s core competitive advantages is its access to an unmatched biomarker discovery research platform that has been used to help the University of Utah identify more disease-related genes than any other institution in the world. LineaGen’s goal is to develop a diversified portfolio of novel biomarkers for the development of new diagnostic tests, and to strategically license its intellectual property to commercial partners for the development of new drug treatments. LineaGen’s current discovery programs focus on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Autism, Multiple Sclerosis and Osteoporosis. 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 LineaGen, The University of Utah and Vanderbilt University 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. 1. From: National Multiple Sclerosis Society: http://www.nationalmssociety.org/about-multiple-sclerosis/what-is-ms/ download.aspx?id=22 and The Autism Society of America (www.autism-society.org). 2. From National Multiple Sclerosis Society FAQ: http://www.nationalmssociety.org/about-multiple-sclerosis/ FAQs-about-MS/index.aspx 3. From CDC website: http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/overview.htm Long URLs in this release may need to be copied/pasted into your Internet browser's address field. Remove the extra space if one exists.