SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 5, 2006--Affymetrix Inc. (Nasdaq:AFFX - News) announced today that Abbott Molecular, a division of Abbott, has obtained a non-exclusive, worldwide license to a number of Affymetrix patents that will allow it to manufacture and sell comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) microarrays, related readers and software in the research and diagnostics field. Details of the license were not disclosed.
About Affymetrix:
Affymetrix scientists invented the world’s first 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 not-for-profit research institutes. More than 1,400 systems have been installed around the world and nearly 4,000 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 subsidiaries in Europe and 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 Web site 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 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 (including risks related to the Company’s ability to achieve hoped-for manufacturing yields for certain array products, including the ability to identify and resolve manufacturing problems), product development ( including uncertainties relating to commercial success of the licensing agreement with Abbott Molecular 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, 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.
Contact:
Affymetrix Inc. Wes Conard, 408-731-5791 (Director, Corporate Communications) Doug Farrell, 408-731-5285 (Vice President, Investor Relations)
Source: Affymetrix Inc.
