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Harvard Medical School - Partners HealthCare Center for Genetics
and Genomics to Launch Major Genotyping Study in Atherosclerosis with
Affymetrix Technology
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., and SANTA CLARA, Calif., Feb. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
Today, the Harvard Medical School - Partners HealthCare Center for Genetics and
Genomics (HPCGG) and Affymetrix, Inc. (NASDAQ:AFFX) announced an agreement that
will provide HPCGG with early access to next-generation Affymetrix GeneChip(R)
Human Mapping microarrays capable of scanning up to 500,000 single nucleotide
polymorphisms (SNPs), or variations of DNA sequence in the human genome. The
Affymetrix technology will allow HPCGG researchers to investigate at an
unprecedented scale the genetic origins of atherosclerosis, a condition where
the arteries become clogged. More than 1,200 patient samples will be examined
and will come from the Women's Health Study, an ongoing 10-year National
Institutes of Health (NIH) funded study of cardiovascular events in 38,000
women.
"Using the Affymetrix microarrays, we can scan a whole genome for genetic
variation in just 24 to 48 hours. Prior to this technology, it would have been
inconceivable to genotype hundreds of patient samples. Together with a large
panel of serum markers from the Women's Health Study, this will bring us a lot
closer to understanding the genetic contribution to inflammation and
cardiovascular disease, and predicting who may or may not be at risk. Use of
the microarrays in the HPCGG core technology facilities will make this and
other large scale gene-disease association studies possible," said David
Kwiatkowski, M.D., Ph.D., Director of Genotyping for HPCGG.
Dr. Kwiatkowski is also a principal investigator within the Donald W. Reynolds
Center for Cardiovascular Research at Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH). The
Reynolds Foundation is funding this study. Co-investigators in this project
include Paul Ridker, M.D., Director of the Center for Cardiovascular Disease
Prevention at BWH. The Women's Health Study is under the overall direction of
Dr. Julie Buring, also of BWH.
Affymetrix arrays enable scientists to search the human genome and identify
genes contributing to complex diseases, such as atherosclerosis, cancer and
asthma. High-density GeneChip microarrays interrogate hundreds of thousands of
SNP markers per individual for less than one cent per genotype. The substantial
cost savings compared with currently available methods is making this
atherosclerosis study, as well as other large-scale studies, cost-effective for
the first time.
"The Affymetrix microarray system will be a key component of the Harvard
Medical School -- Partners HealthCare lab bench-to-bedside continuum, which
integrates genetics and genomics data into clinical decision support.
Discoveries of gene-disease associations can be rapidly translated into
clinical diagnostic tests by our team of researchers and clinicians, bringing
benefits to the patient in months rather than years," said Raju Kucherlapati,
Ph.D., Scientific Director of the HPCGG. Dr. Kucherlapati added that such tests
form the foundation of personalized medicine approaches that HPCGG is seeking
to advance -- the ability to select the best treatment for the individual
patient based on his or her genetic profile.
The early access arrangement with Affymetrix exemplifies HPCGG's flexibility in
adopting new technologies with the rigorous quality controls of a production
facility. In addition to supporting HPCGG research, the new Affymetrix
technology will further strengthen the HPCGG core facilities supporting the
broader research community with genomic and other high throughput services.
The Center is among a handful of early access sites that will start applying
these new Affymetrix arrays to study real-world disease.
"From world-class research, to access to a major physician network serving over
2 million patients, HPCGG has the resources needed to start translating genomic
results into better health care. We believe that Affymetrix GeneChip
technology, including our new upcoming Mapping 500K arrays, will help
researchers at HPCGG and elsewhere to make discoveries that directly benefit
patients," said Greg Yap, Vice President, DNA Products, Affymetrix.
The research is expected to begin when the 500K arrays become available under a
limited release Early Access program in the first half of 2005.
About the Harvard/Partners Center for Genetics and Genomics
HPCGG is a joint enterprise between Harvard Medical School and Partners
HealthCare System, dedicated to accelerating the realization of personalized
medicine by discovering and integrating genetic knowledge into the healthcare
system. The Center combines world-class scientific talent with access to a
population of over 2 million patients and their physicians, providing a
continuum of resources and expertise to rapidly translate scientific
discoveries into treatments that benefit the patient. Through its educational
programs at Harvard Medical School and other academic institutions, the Center
has created the infrastructure to educate the medical profession on
personalized medicine approaches. The Center also operates full-service genetic
clinics for patients with known or suspected genetic conditions, and core
facilities and services for genetic study design, DNA sequencing, genotyping,
proteomics, bioinformatics and microarrays.
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(R) 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 not-for-profit research institutes. More than 1,000
systems have been installed around the world and nearly 3,000 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 analyze the relationship between genetics and health. Affymetrix is
headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., with manufacturing facilities in
Sacramento, Calif., and Bedford, Mass. The company maintains important sales
and marketing operations in Europe and Asia and has about 900 employees
worldwide.
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 of the Company's ability to achieve and sustain higher
levels of revenue, higher gross margins, reduced operating expenses,
uncertainties relating to technological approaches, manufacturing, product
development (including uncertainties relating to the use of the 500K array and
outcome of the research project with HPCGG discussed in this press release),
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 for the year ended December 31, 2003 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.
DATASOURCE: Affymetrix, Inc.
CONTACT: Wes Conard, Associate Director, Public Relations,
+1-408-731-5791, or Doug Farrell, Vice President, Investor Relations,
+1-408-731-5285, both of Affymetrix, Inc.; or Heather Kowalski of Feinstein
Kean Healthcare, +1-617-761-6796, or , for
Harvard Medical School - Partners HealthCare Center for Genetics and Genomics
Web site: http://www.affymetrix.com/