Affymetrix and NuGEN Collaborate to Advance Whole Transcript Analysis
December 10 2003 - 7:00AM
PR Newswire (US)
Affymetrix and NuGEN Collaborate to Advance Whole Transcript
Analysis - NuGEN Proprietary Whole Transcript Amplification System
to Be Optimized for Use With Affymetrix GeneChip(R) Brand
Technology - SANTA CLARA, Calif. and SAN CARLOS, Calif., Dec. 10
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Affymetrix, Inc., and NuGEN Technologies
Inc., a privately held company developing and commercializing
products for high sensitivity nucleic acid amplification and
detection, announced today that they have entered into a joint
collaboration to develop NuGEN's Whole Transcript Amplification
(WT-SPIA(TM)) system for use with Affymetrix GeneChip(R) brand
technology. Financial terms were not disclosed. "We are delighted
to work with Affymetrix towards our shared vision to integrate
NuGEN's novel amplification reagents with Affymetrix GeneChip
technology," said Jan D'Alvise, President and CEO of NuGEN. "We
will develop WT-SPIA reagents for the preparation of sample prior
to hybridization to GeneChip arrays with the goal of maintaining
the accuracy, sensitivity, speed and simplicity that characterizes
NuGEN's commercially available Ovation Amplification System
products that are based upon the Ribo-SPIA(TM) technology. By
collaborating with Affymetrix, the industry leader for microarrays
that enable whole genome analysis, we plan to develop an integrated
solution which will be instrumental to advancing several important
fields within genomic research." "Following our collaborative
research efforts, Affymetrix and NuGEN intend to develop this
promising new target amplification method to support the next
generation of GeneChip arrays from Affymetrix," said John E. Blume,
Ph.D., Vice President of Expression Research for Affymetrix. "Our
collaborative efforts are focused on providing the most powerful
product solutions to drive the entire field of whole genome
analysis forward." In this collaboration, NuGEN plans to develop
amplification reagents that replicate the entire length of mRNA
transcripts and are optimized for use with GeneChip technology. An
important application of WT-SPIA will be the identification of
splice variants. Alternative mRNA splicing is an important
mechanism to expand the diversity of gene products because an
estimated 60% of human genes undergo alternative splicing of their
coding units, or exons. This process greatly increases the
repertoire of proteins that are expressed in different cell types
at different stages of normal or pathological development. Splice
variants are believed to have significant functions in the control
of normal and disease states. About Affymetrix Affymetrix is a
pioneer in creating breakthrough tools that are driving the genomic
revolution. By applying the principles of semiconductor technology
to the life sciences, Affymetrix develops and commercializes
systems that enable scientists to improve the quality of life. The
Company's customers include pharmaceutical, biotechnology,
agrichemical, diagnostics and consumer products companies as well
as academic, government and other non-profit research institutes.
Affymetrix offers an expanding portfolio of integrated products and
services, including its integrated GeneChip platform, to address
growing markets focused on understanding the relationship between
genes and human health. Additional information on Affymetrix can be
found at http://www.affymetrix.com/ . About NuGEN Technologies Inc.
NuGEN(TM) Technologies Inc., headquartered in San Carlos, CA, is a
privately held company focused on the development and
commercialization of high sensitivity amplification and detection
systems for the analysis of nucleic acids and proteins. NuGEN's
mission is to develop amplification and detection systems for
genomic and proteomic research. The company's proprietary
technologies form the foundation for a wide range of methods and
products used by researchers to prepare samples for genetic
analysis. NuGEN's initial business focus is to apply its
amplification and labeling technologies to gene expression
analysis. NOTE: Affymetrix, the Affymetrix logo and GeneChip and
are registered trademarks owned or used by Affymetrix, Inc.
NuGEN(TM), Ovation(TM), SPIA(TM), Ribo-SPIA(TM) and WT-SPIA(TM) are
trademarks or service marks of NuGEN(TM) Technologies. 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 of the Company's ability to achieve and
sustain higher levels of revenue, higher gross margins, reduced
operating expenses, uncertainties relating to technological
approaches (including uncertainties relating to its research
collaboration with NuGEN), manufacturing, product development,
market acceptance, personnel retention, uncertainties related to
cost and pricing of Affymetrix products, 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, 2002 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. This press release contains forward-looking statements
that are subject to risks and uncertainties, including continued
growth in demand by researchers for total RNA analysis, continued
use of oligo and cDNA microarrays, acceptance by researchers of the
company's technologies and products, and competition from existing
and newly developed products. Accordingly, actual results may
differ materially from those anticipated. These forward-looking
statements represent the company's current expectations as of the
date of this release. The company disclaims, however, any intent or
obligation to update these forward-looking statements. DATASOURCE:
NuGEN Technologies Inc.; Affymetrix, Inc. CONTACT: media, Anne
Bowdidge, Director of Global Public Relations, +1-408-731-5925, or
investors, Doug Farrell, Vice President of Investor Relations,
+1-408-731-5285, both of Affymetrix; or Charlotte Rogers, V.P.,
Business Development of NuGEN, +1-650-590-3610; or media, Carin
Canale or Anette Breindl, Ph.D., +1-858-860-0266, both of Atkins +
Associates for NuGEN Web site: http://www.affymetrix.com/ Web site:
http://www.nugentechnologies.com/
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