Affymetrix (NASDAQ:AFFX)
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Affymetrix Inc. (Nasdaq:AFFX) and Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center
announced today that they have entered into a three-year translational
research collaboration to analyze genomic information across a large
number of patient samples. Under terms of the agreement, researchers at
Vanderbilt-Ingram and Vanderbilt University Medical Center will use
Affymetrix GeneChip®
microarray technology to develop new applications for translational
research projects, focusing on disease areas such as cancer and HIV/AIDS.
“Cancer is a genetic disease. The
technological capabilities that Affymetrix provides in gene expression
and genotyping provides an important set of tools to examine the
molecular and genetic basis of cancer,” said
Shawn Levy, Ph.D., assistant professor of biomedical informatics and
director of the Vanderbilt Microarray Shared Resource. “This
partnership provides a mechanism to bring these technologies to the
forefront of translational research in helping Vanderbilt understand not
only the molecular basis for the disease but also the genetic
disparities in various cancers and responses to therapy.”
The HIV/AIDS translational research project will aim to help clinicians
avoid the often irreversible and costly complications of therapy. The
Affymetrix Human Mitochondrial Resequencing Array 2.0 will be used as a
research tool to identify genetic variants that may make some patients
more susceptible to adverse effects of certain drugs. The results of
this study will potentially help clinicians select the most appropriate
drug therapy for each patient, avoiding those most likely to cause
toxicity. Such a tool could have important applications for HIV/AIDS
treatment in both affluent and resource-limited settings, and for other
diseases.
"A number of important translational projects are underway, ranging from
cancer research to HIV/AIDS drug toxicities to age-related macular
degeneration,” said Jeff Canter M.D., M.P.H.,
assistant professor of molecular physiology and biophysics at the Center
for Human Genetics Research at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. “This
is a very exciting time because new sequencing technologies allow us to
explore real-world applications of discoveries from the revolution in
genetics that until now have been confined to the laboratory.”
“Vanderbilt University’s
Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center is one of the premier cancer research
facilities in the United States,” said Fred
Pollock, associate director of translational medicine at Affymetrix. “We
are excited about moving forward with this translational medicine
partnership that is designed to accelerate genetic research and bring
better healthcare to patients.”
Affymetrix collaborates with academic institutions, advocacy groups and
the pharmaceutical and diagnostics community through its
Translational Medicine Program to develop molecular signatures for
improving patient care. Affymetrix GeneChip microarray technology helps
researchers diagnose and tailor treatments for individual patients by
identifying and measuring the genetic information associated with
complex diseases. The Translational Medicine Program complements the
Powered by Affymetrix™ program, which enables
companies to license GeneChip technology to create innovative,
custom-designed microarray products based on signatures such as those of
our Translational Medicine Program partners. This technology is already
being used in many applications, including diagnostics, forensics,
animal, industrial and food testing.
About Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC)
The Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center at Vanderbilt University Medical
Center is dedicated to a comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach to
cancer care, research, prevention and patient and community education.
With nearly 300 investigators, Vanderbilt-Ingram is ranked among the top
10 centers in total research funding from the National Cancer Institute
and generates more than $150 million each year in research support from
public and private sources. Vanderbilt-Ingram is the only National
Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in Tennessee and
one of only 39 to achieve this distinction nationwide. The center is
consistently recognized among the best places for cancer care by U.S.
News & World Report. For more information, visit us online at www.vicc.org.
About Affymetrix
Affymetrix scientists invented the world’s
first high-density microarray in 1989 and began selling the first
commercial microarray in 1994. Since then, Affymetrix GeneChip®
technology has become the industry standard in molecular biology
research. Affymetrix technology is used by the world’s
top pharmaceutical, diagnostic and biotechnology companies as well as
leading academic, government and nonprofit research institutes. More
than 1,400 systems have been installed around the world and more than
7,000 peer-reviewed papers have been published using the technology.
Affymetrix’ patented photolithographic
manufacturing process provides the most information capacity available
today on an array, enabling researchers to use a whole-genome approach
to analyzing the relationship between genetics and health. Affymetrix is
headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., with manufacturing facilities in
Sacramento, Calif., Bedford, Mass., and Singapore. The company maintains
important sales and marketing operations in Europe and Asia and has
about 1,100 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 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
associated with the agreement with Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center
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 relating to
technological approaches, manufacturing and product development;
personnel retention; uncertainties related to cost and pricing of
Affymetrix products; dependence on collaborative partners; uncertainties
relating to sole source suppliers; 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/A for the year ended December 31, 2005, 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.