Lineagen Applies Affymetrix' GeneChip® Technology to Next-Generation FirstStepDx® Service for Individuals with Developmental Delay and Autism Spectrum Disorders

SANTA CLARA, Calif. and SALT LAKE CITY, March 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Affymetrix, Inc. (NASDAQ: AFFX) and Lineagen, Inc., an innovative molecular diagnostics company focused on complex, genetically linked disorders, today announced the companies have signed an agreement to incorporate Affymetrix' GeneChip® technology into Lineagen's next-generation FirstStepDx, a genetic evaluation service for individuals with developmental delay (DD), intellectual disability (ID), and autism spectrum disorders (ASD).  The new FirstStepDx offering is anticipated to be available by mid-2012 and will feature a proprietary microarray-based assay incorporating novel genetic markers from recently concluded studies of more than 10,000 individuals.

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Under the terms of the agreement, Lineagen has exclusive rights to develop a chromosomal microarray assay based on Affymetrix' GeneChip technology platform as part of the Powered by Affymetrix™ program.  In this program, Affymetrix licenses its technology to companies developing microarray products in a broad range of test applications, including diagnostics.  Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

"This agreement further extends our platform with Affymetrix' technology, and we are very excited to incorporate their robust technology into our next-generation FirstStepDx," said Michael Paul, Ph.D., President and CEO of Lineagen.  "This next-generation FirstStepDx will assist physicians in the diagnostic evaluation of individuals with DD, ID, or ASD to determine genetic etiology that may influence changes in clinical management and inform appropriate care.  The Powered by Affymetrix™ program will further ensure we can continue to advance our breakthrough genetic testing by providing market-leading, reproducible, and accurate results."

"We are extremely pleased to formalize a Powered by Affymetrix partnership with an innovative company like Lineagen," said Dara Grantham Wright, VP Global Strategic Marketing for Clinical Applications at Affymetrix. "We are committed to bring our technologies closer to the clinic and to the patients who will benefit most from high quality genetic information." 

About Lineagen

Lineagen, Inc. is based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Our mission is to accelerate and enhance the diagnostic evaluation of medical conditions so that the best possible outcomes can be achieved for patients and their families. Our first commercial offering, FirstStepDx, provides physicians with a fully integrated genetic testing, counseling, reporting, and developmental screening service to aid in the diagnostic evaluation of individuals with ASD or other forms of developmental delay. In addition to our deep commitment to ASD and developmental delay, we have ongoing scientific programs in the areas of multiple sclerosis (MS) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

For additional information, please visit www.lineagen.com.

About Affymetrix

Affymetrix technology is used by the world's top pharmaceutical, diagnostic, and biotechnology companies, as well as leading academic, government, and nonprofit research institutes. More than 25,000 peer-reviewed papers have been published using the technology. Affymetrix is headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., and has manufacturing facilities in Santa Clara, Cleveland, Ohio, and Singapore. The company has about 900 employees worldwide and maintains sales and distribution operations across Europe, Asia, and Latin America. For more information about Affymetrix, please visit http://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, 2010, and other SEC reports for subsequent quarterly periods.

PLEASE NOTE: Affymetrix, the Affymetrix logo, GeneChip, and all other trademarks are the property of Affymetrix, Inc.

Affymetrix, Inc.

Media Contact:
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Vice President, Marketing Services
408-731-5523
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Investor Contact:
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408-731-5285
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Or

Lineagen, Inc.

Michael S. Paul
President and CEO of Lineagen
Lineagen, Inc.
801-931-6200

Justin Jackson
Burns McClellan, on behalf of Lineagen
(212) 213-0006
[email protected]

SOURCE Lineagen, Inc.