Affymetrix and XRGenomics LTD to Collaborate on Development of a New Generation of Diagnostic Tests for Age-Related Diseases

SANTA CLARA, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Affymetrix,
Inc. (NASDAQ: AFFX) and XRGenomics
LTD, a UK based biotechnology company, announced today that they
will collaborate on research and development of a new generation of
diagnostic tests for age-related diseases. Over 50% of healthcare costs
are spent on those aged 65 and older and according to the G8 Summit
2013, age-related diseases could bankrupt Western medicine by 2050. New
solutions are required to deliver efficient and effective care.

XRGenomics has utilized Affymetrix technology to develop novel gene
expression-based signatures that enable translational research and
biomarker test development activities in areas such as dementia,
Alzheimer’s, and other age-related diseases.

“Our unique approach to building diagnostics for complex diseases that
become prevalent with age requires a high-throughput global
transcriptomics solution such as that offered by expression array plates
processed on the Affymetrix GeneTitan^® System – a platform
that is scalable, accurate, and cost-effective,” said Professor Jamie
Timmons, PhD, chief scientific officer at XRGenomics.

He went on to say “to provide the next generation of clinically
meaningful diagnostics for geriatric medicine, one must simultaneously
assess multiple ‘RNA scores’ or markers for several age-related chronic
diseases to get an accurate picture of the patient. This is why we are
so excited to be working with Affymetrix to optimize our RNA signatures
in thousands of patients with cognitive impairment using the Affymetrix
GeneTitan^® platform, which is extremely well suited to meet
the technical demands of large scale clinical trials.”

“There is a clear need to address the enormous challenge of managing
complex age-related diseases that face healthcare systems globally. We
believe that the work of XRGenomics will materially improve the
research, diagnosis, and treatment of age-related diseases in the near
future,” said Dan St. Louis, senior vice president of the Expression
Business Unit at Affymetrix. “Our GeneChip^® U133 Plus 2.0
array used by XRGenomics, particularly in its high-throughput automated
format, continues to serve as a proven platform for clinical and
translational researchers who need to analyze the expression profile of
large clinical cohorts with the accuracy, reproducibility, speed, and
cost-effectiveness required to successfully develop complex RNA-based
tests for clinical utility.”

XRGenomics hopes that their biological age signature becomes an
important stratification tool for dementia research as early as 2017.

About XRGenomics LTD

XRGenomics LTD is a privately held company with informatics-driven
research and development activities in the field of aging and diabetes
diagnostics. For more information about XRGenomics LTD, please visit www.xrgenomics.com

About Affymetrix

Affymetrix technologies enable multiplex and simultaneous analysis of
biological systems at the cell, protein, and gene level, facilitating
the rapid translation of benchtop research into clinical and routine use
for human health and wellness. Affymetrix provides leadership and
support, partnering with customers in pharmaceutical, diagnostic, and
biotechnology companies, as well as leading academic, government, and
non-profit research institutes in their quest to use biology for a
better world. More than 2,300 microarray systems have been shipped
around the world and more than 94,000 peer-reviewed papers have been
published citing Affymetrix technologies. Affymetrix is headquartered in
Santa Clara, California, and has manufacturing facilities in Cleveland,
San Diego, Vienna, and Singapore. Affymetrix has about 1,100 employees
and maintains sales and distribution operations worldwide. 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, 2014,
and other SEC reports for subsequent quarterly periods.

PLEASE NOTE: Affymetrix, the Affymetrix logo, GeneChip, and
GeneTitan trademarks are the property of Affymetrix, Inc. All other
trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Contacts

Affymetrix Contacts:
Media:
Mindy
Lee-Olsen, 408-731-5523
Vice President, Marketing Services
mindy_lee-olsen@affymetrix.com
Investors:
Doug
Farrell, 408-731-5285
Vice President, Investor Relations
doug_farrell@affymetrix.com
or
XRGenomics
LTD Contact:
Jamie Timmons
CSO
Jamie.Timmons@xrgenomics.com