And Stephen Fodor said "blah, blah, blah and blah, blah, blah."
Tuesday July 24, 2:00 am Eastern Time
Press Release
SOURCE: Affymetrix, Inc.
Personalizing Medicine: deCODE and Affymetrix to
Collaborate on DNA-Based Tests to Optimize the
Effectiveness of Treatments for Major Diseases
Pharmacogenomics Alliance Aims to Benefit Patients, Payers And the
Pharmaceutical Industry
SANTA CLARA, Calif., and REYKJAVIK, Iceland, July 24 /PRNewswire/ -- deCODE
genetics (Nasdaq: DCGN; Nasdaq Europe) and Affymetrix, Inc. (Nasdaq: AFFX - news)
today announced that they have signed a collaboration to develop DNA-based tests to
predict the responsiveness of individual patients to treatments for common diseases. Such
tests promise to play an important role in delivering more effective medicine.
Utilizing deCODE's unique population-based approach to pharmacogenomics and
Affymetrix' GeneChip® technology, the collaboration will initially focus on conducting gene
expression analysis to understand the response to drugs used in the treatment of common
conditions affecting millions of people around the world. These include high-cholesterol,
depression, asthma, hypertension, breast cancer, schizophrenia and migraine. Clinical work
under this new collaboration will be performed by Encode, a wholly-owned deCODE
subsidiary conducting pharmacogenomics research and clinical trials for a growing list of
leading pharmaceutical companies. Affymetrix and deCODE, through its subsidiary Encode,
will share the revenues from the sale of tests developed under the collaboration.
``Through this alliance we are well-positioned to take a leading role in delivering more
personalized treatments for common diseases,'' said Kari Stefansson, Chief Executive Officer
of deCODE. ``Pharmacogenomic tests such as those we plan to develop will become a
standard part of future healthcare. Our companies have a unique combination of expertise for
meeting the demands of this growing market, and we at deCODE are very pleased to be
leveraging our pharmacogenomics platform with a trusted partner and leader in gene
expression technology.''
``By combining deCODE's population resources for pharmacogenomics with Affymetrix'
high-density GeneChip platform, we hope to expand the clinical use of gene expression
profiles to predict drug response,'' said Stephen P.A. Fodor Ph.D., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Affymetrix. ``We
believe these studies will generate valuable new indicators of disease, thereby contributing to the development of more effective
therapies.''
About pharmacogenomics
DNA-based pharmacogenomic tests are one of the great promises of genetics. Patients can gain greater comfort by knowing
that the drugs they are prescribed are right for them, with the possibility of reduced side effects. Healthcare providers will gain
from the improved safety and cost effectiveness of prescriptions. The pharmaceutical industry can utilize such tests to further
streamline individual drug development and approval processes, enabling new drugs to reach the market faster.
This alliance will enable the companies to leverage existing capabilities. Using the Affymetrix GeneChip platform, deCODE has
already identified a gene expression pattern that can accurately predict glucocorticoid response in asthma patients. deCODE
recently signed an agreement with Genmab A/S to develop a pharmacogenomic test for a novel treatment for rheumatoid
arthritis.
Affymetrix is a leader in developing and commercializing systems to acquire, analyze and manage complex genetic information
in order to improve the quality of life. Affymetrix customers include pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agrochemical, diagnostics
and consumer products companies as well as academic, government and other non-profit research institutes. The Company's
GeneChip® system consists of disposable DNA probe arrays containing gene sequences on a chip, reagents for use with the
probe arrays, a scanner, and other instruments to process the probe arrays and software to analyze and manage genetic
information. The Company's spotted array system enables individual researchers to create and analyze custom microarrays on
an easy to use platform. Additional information on Affymetrix and GeneChip array technology can be found at
www.affymetrix.com.
deCODE genetics (www.decode.com), based in Reykjavik, Iceland, is conducting research into the inherited causes of
common diseases. The company has three main business units: discovery services -- including disease-gene research, drug
target identification and pharmacogenomic services; database services; and bioinformatics tools and services. deCODE is using
its population approach to turn raw genomics data into products and services for the global healthcare industry. Encode,
launched as a wholly-owned subsidiary in November 2000, is a full-service CRO conducting pharmacogenomic studies and
clinical trials for major pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.
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, uncertainties relating to technological
approaches, product development, manufacturing, market acceptance, personnel retention, equity dilution, uncertainties related
to the ability to realize benefits from acquisitions, uncertainties related to cost and pricing of Affymetrix products, uncertainties
related to the impact of the mouse genome array replacement program, 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, 2000 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. Affymetrix,
GeneChip and the Affymetrix logo are registered trademarks used by Affymetrix, Inc.
Any statements contained in this press release that relate to future plans, events or performance are forward-looking statements
that involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, those relating to technology and product development, market
acceptance, government regulation and regulatory approval processes, intellectual property rights and litigation, dependence on
strategic partners, ability to obtain financing, competitive products and other risks identified in deCODE's filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results, events or performance may differ materially. deCODE undertakes no
obligation to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements resulting from events or circumstances after the
date hereof.
SOURCE: Affymetrix, Inc. |
