Affymetrix makes headway as the best means of investigating gene expression levels. This announcement on diabetes related issues. Same sort of thing applies to non Hodgkins Lymphoma P33 expression and CD20 I guess.
At the moment, Non Hodgkins Lymphoma [NHL] is diagnosed and monitored using stone age macro tools such as gazing at cells through a microscope, Computer Aided Tomography and palpation of spleen! Roll on the 21st century.
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On 17 December Affymetrix Inc. AFFX and Metabolex Inc. a private biotechnology company, announced they have agreed that Metabolex will gain access to Affymetrix GeneChip arrays to monitor gene expression for use in research and development activities.
Under the agreement, Affymetrix will supply Metabolex with GeneChip software and human DNA probe arrays to monitor specific gene expression levels. Affymetrix will also provide screening services for Metabolex. In exchange for supplying Metabolex with its GeneChip technology, Affymetrix will receive undisclosed payments based on a per-data-point pricing model. Additional financial terms were not disclosed.
"Our agreement with Metabolex demonstrates that Affymetrix GeneChip technology is a viable, cost-effective tool for biotechnology companies," said Dr Stephen P A Fodor, Affymetrix President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our goal is to make the technology broadly available to companies of all sizes with an interest in genomics."
"Access to GeneChip technology will provide us with unique insight into the development and function of diabetes related tissues,
including beta cells, the pancreatic cells that produce insulin," said Thomas A. Glaze, President and Chief Executive Officer of
Metabolex. "By identifying changes in the patterns of gene expression, we may help to identify new targets for drug therapy which enhance the function of beta cells and thus overcome the defects found in type 2 diabetes."
Additional customers of the GeneChip technology include: Genetics Institute, Glaxo, Hoechst Marion Roussel Inc, Merck & Co Inc., the Parke-Davis division of the Warner Lambert Company, Pfizer Inc, Pioneer Hi-Bred International and F Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.
Affymetrix has developed and intends to establish its GeneChip system as the platform of choice for acquiring, analyzing and managing complex genetic information in order to improve the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of disease. 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.
Metabolex Inc. was founded to develop therapeutics for diabetes and related metabolic diseases.
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