Affymetrix (AFFX) and Singapore-based Start-up PathGEN Dx Sign Partnership

Affymetrix, Inc. (NASDAQ: AFFX) and PathGEN Dx Pte. Ltd., a spin-off molecular diagnostics company founded by researchers from the Genome Institute of Singapore, today announced they have signed a Powered by Affymetrix^TM (PbA) Program agreement.

Under this PbA agreement, PathGEN Dx will develop an in-vitro diagnostic kit for comprehensive pathogen detection using their PathGEN^® PathChip and is based on a patented, efficient, and accurate microarray-based protocol and analysis method. The kit will be comprised of PathGEN Dx’s proprietary reagents, an automated software package, and a contract manufactured GeneChip^® microarray from Affymetrix. It will detect the presence of more than 70,000 viral and bacterial genomes from a wide variety of human samples, annotate the genomic information, and identify co-infecting pathogens.

Dr. Martin Hibberd, PathGEN Dx Co-Founder, said, “This will be the start of our development plan for a diagnostic microarray that we feel will ultimately help medical researchers and surveillance investigators identify the full range of viruses and bacteria in their samples.”

“We are very pleased to have PathGEN Dx join the Affymetrix’ PbA Program. This adds significantly to our PbA Program in which we help partners to develop novel molecular diagnostic tests that will potentially provide solutions for directing proper treatment for patients,” said Roger Schaller, Sr. Director of Global Business Development for Clinical Applications at Affymetrix.

“We are very proud that PathGEN Dx, the first spin-off from GIS, has achieved this collaboration that will significantly advance their reach to the clinical diagnostics global market. The journey first began in 2004 as a project in GIS, and then funded by Exploit Technologies in 2008 to clinically validate, productize, and develop the business strategy. This is an exciting next phase in PathGEN DX’s entrepreneurial journey and we look forward to greater success,” said Mr. Philip Lim, CEO of Exploit Technologies, A*STAR’s technology transfer arm.

“The Genome Institute of Singapore is pleased to support PathGEN Dx and look forward to incubating more startups in the future,” said Prof. Ng Huck Hui, Acting Executive Director of GIS.

This PbA Program agreement also provides PathGEN Dx access to Affymetrix’ international distribution network.

Dr. Christopher Wong, Founder of PathGEN Dx, added “We are pleased to join the ranks of other PbA Program partners, such as Roche Diagnostics and Pathwork Diagnostics in adopting the Affymetrix technology in our IVD product development program.”

PLEASE NOTE: Affymetrix^®, the Affymetrix logo, Powered by Affymetrix, and GeneChip^® are registered trademarks of Affymetrix, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

About PathGEN Dx Pte. Ltd.

PathGEN Dx is the first spin-off company founded by scientists from the Genome Institute of Singapore, under the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), and aims to be a global solutions provider in the research, biosurveillance, and diagnostic markets. We conduct research and develop products for infectious disease diagnostics, biosurveillance, and epidemiology. Our proprietary PathGEN^® PathChip Kit can efficiently detect clinically significant pathogens and potentially novel infectious disease threats. It can be used in private laboratories, research institutions, contract research organizations, and pharmaceutical companies where test results can be used to rapidly drive laboratory research and findings into clinical applications and interventions.

PathGEN Dx was also recently awarded a TECS POV grant from SPRING Singapore for its research work.

For more information, please visit http://www.pathgendx.com

About the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)

The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is the lead agency for fostering world-class scientific research and talent for a vibrant knowledge-based and innovation-driven Singapore. A*STAR oversees 14 biomedical sciences and physical sciences and engineering research institutes, and six consortia & centers, located in Biopolis and Fusionopolis as well as their immediate vicinity. A*STAR supports Singapore’s key economic clusters by providing intellectual, human and industrial capital to its partners in industry. It also supports extramural research in the universities, and with other local and international partners. For more information about A*STAR, please visit www.a-star.edu.sg.

About Affymetrix

Affymetrix technologies are used by the world’s top pharmaceutical, diagnostic, and biotechnology companies, as well as leading academic, government, and nonprofit research institutes. More than 26,000 peer-reviewed papers have been published citing the technologies. Affymetrix is headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., and has manufacturing facilities in Santa Clara, San Diego, Cleveland, Ohio, Singapore, and Austria. The company has about 1,180 employees worldwide and maintains sales and distribution operations across Europe, Asia, and Latin America. For more information about Affymetrix, please visit 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. These and other risk factors are discussed in Affymetrix’ Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, and other SEC reports for subsequent quarterly periods.