Korea NIH Expands KARE Project with Second Affymetrix Technology Order

Affymetrix Inc. (Nasdaq:AFFX) today announced that the Republic of Korea’s National Institute of Health (NIH) and Center for Disease Control and Prevention is expanding the Korean Association Resource (KARE) project and using the Affymetrix Genome-Wide Human SNP Array 6.0 to analyze 13,000 additional samples. The expansion of the project enables the Korea NIH to increase the overall genetic power of the project to validate previous findings and to identify new genetic variations associated with lifestyle-related complex diseases that are prevalent in Korea. Last year, the KNIH analyzed more than 10,000 samples using the Affymetrix Genome-Wide Human SNP Array 5.0 and has successfully identified several polymorphisms associated with genetic factors for type 2 diabetes and several quantitative anthropometric and blood biochemical factors. Researchers at the KNIH are now planning to not only replicate these associations but also unravel risk factors for additional lifestyle-related complex diseases such as metabolic syndrome using the SNP Array 6.0. All of the samples used for the KARE project are from the prospective epidemiological Ansan and Ansung cohorts in Korea. "We successfully completed the first phase of the KARE project within six months after we started genotyping. The Affymetrix technology enabled us to perform a true, unbiased genome-wide association study and uncover a number of polymorphisms associated with type 2 diabetes and several health-related quantitative traits of anthropometry and blood biochemistry,” said Jong-Young Lee, Ph.D., chief, Division of Structural and Functional Genomics at the KNIH. "Once we have validated our initial results with the SNP Array 6.0, we can use these samples as a common control set to help inspire additional research projects.” "With more than 23,000 samples, the Korea NIH’s KARE project is quickly becoming one of the world’s most recognizable clinical research projects,” said Kevin King, president of Affymetrix. "With its industry-leading performance and low genotyping cost, the Affymetrix SNP Array 6.0 is helping researchers around the world discover genetic causes of many complex diseases and then validate the findings across a larger sample population.” With the SNP Array 6.0, researchers are able to use a single, whole-genome panel to analyze larger, multiple sample sets for both the initial scan and replication phases of an association study, all at a much more affordable cost per sample. Traditionally, scientists performed initial genome scans using a high-density, whole-genome panel and then validated those results across a larger sample population with custom array technology that focused on a subset of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The integrated whole-genome panel approach increases the overall genetic power of these studies and further accelerates the gene discovery process by enabling different groups to combine their data from different populations and disorders with overlapping phenotypes. The Affymetrix microarrays will be run in the high-throughput lab of DNA Link Inc., an Affymetrix-certified service provider in Korea. DNA Link is an emerging leader in medical genetics research that is focused on establishing strong alliances with major hospitals to perform research into the genetic bases of common diseases. SeouLin Bioscience will supply the Affymetrix microarray technology and provide technical support to the KNIH and DNA Link. Since its founding in 1984, SeouLin Bioscience has been providing world-renowned research products in Korea with its strong marketing and sales teams of product specialists. The company was listed on KOSDAQ in 2005. SeouLin Bioscience has a unique culture and system that helps both its employees and customers succeed. 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 12,000 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 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 KNIH 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.