Affymetrix Technology Used to Discover Molecular Mechanisms of Liver Disease
June 30 2008 - 7:00AM
Business Wire
Affymetrix Inc. (Nasdaq:AFFX) today announced that a team of
researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute in Germany is using
Affymetrix� Whole Transcript (WT) gene expression technology to
better understand the molecular basis of drug-induced liver injury
(DILI). The ultimate goal of the project is to develop a diagnostic
array that can detect signals of liver toxicity earlier and more
accurately than traditional techniques. DILI is one of the most
common side effects of pharmacotherapy and the most frequent reason
why registered drugs are withdrawn from the market.1 Currently,
there is no reliable method to forecast the progression of various
types of DILI. A diagnostic tool that can effectively predict liver
disease could save drug companies around $2 billion annually in
development expenses in the United States alone.2 Professor Juergen
Borlak, director, Fraunhofer Institute of Toxicology and
Experimental Medicine (ITEM) and head of the Institute of Pharmaco-
and Toxicogenomics at the Hannover Medical School (MHH), is leading
the study. The MHH is Europe�s largest liver transplant center.
Professor Borlak�s team is using the Affymetrix Exon and Gene
Arrays to analyze the molecular mechanisms involved in the
development of DILI. The Affymetrix WT technology enables
researchers to survey both gene- and exon-level expression, as well
as alternative splicing patterns on the whole-genome scale. Any one
of these transcripts can be used to develop a new treatment or
diagnostic. �Applying genomic sciences to toxicology can
dramatically improve drug safety,� said Dr. Borlak. �The Affymetrix
WT technology enables us to see the real biology to better identify
susceptible genes and potential gene targets for novel
pharmacotherapeutic treatments.� �Professor Borlak is recognized
around the world for his efforts toward finding new technologies to
safeguard drug candidates,� said Kevin King, president of
Affymetrix. �We are eager to see the Fraunhofer Institute�s results
and look forward to the commercialization of a more effective
diagnostic tool for drug-induced liver injury.� Initial data from
the study cohort is expected to be published by the fall of 2008.
After clinical evaluation, the Fraunhofer Institute hopes to launch
its diagnostic tool in the spring of 2009. About Affymetrix
Affymetrix GeneChip� microarray technology is the industry-standard
tool for analyzing complex genetic information. After inventing
microarray technology in the late 1980s, Affymetrix scientists have
been dedicated to developing innovative products that provide
researchers with a more complete view of the genome. These products
continue to accelerate genetic research and enable scientists to
develop diagnostics and tailor treatments for individual patients
by identifying and measuring the genetic information associated
with complex diseases. Today, 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 1,700 systems have been shipped around the
world and more than 12,000 peer-reviewed papers have been published
using the technology. Affymetrix is headquartered in Santa Clara,
Calif., and has manufacturing facilities in Sacramento, Calif.,
Cleveland, Ohio, and Singapore. The company has about 1,100
employees worldwide and maintains sales and distribution operations
across Europe and Asia. For more information about Affymetrix,
please visit the company�s website at 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, including, but not limited to: risks and uncertainties
relating to commercial success of the agreement with the Fraunhofer
Institute of Toxicology and Experimental Medicine discussed in this
press release; risks of the company�s ability to achieve and
sustain higher levels of revenue, higher gross margins and reduced
operating expenses; uncertainties related to technological
approaches, manufacturing and product development; personnel
retention; uncertainties related to cost and pricing of Affymetrix
products; dependence on collaborative partners; uncertainties
related to sole-source suppliers; risks associated with past and
future acquisitions; 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, 2007, 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. 1 From Fraunhofer Annual Report 2007:
http://www.item.fraunhofer.de/english/media/index.html 2 Based on
the calculation that 19 drugs were withdrawn from the U.S. market
in the last decade and each one cost around $1billion a year,
contained in: Giacomini KM, et al. When good drugs go bad, Nature
446(7139): 977 (2007)
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