First Project to Focus on Identifying Genetic Causes of Type 2 Diabetes

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Jun 16, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Affymetrix Inc. (Nasdaq:AFFX) today announced that the Center for
Inherited Disease Research (CIDR) has adopted its Genome-Wide Human
SNP Array 6.0 for large-scale genotyping and copy number projects.
CIDR is making Affymetrix-based genotyping available to supporting
members of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The first study to
take advantage of this new CIDR offering is a NIDDK-funded project to
identify the genetic causes of type 2 diabetes in African-Americans.

Donald W. Bowden, Ph.D. is director of the Wake Forest University
School of Medicine Diabetes Center and the principal investigator of
the study. His team will examine more than 2,200 samples in its first
phase. "The combination of the expertise at CIDR and the SNP and copy
number content of the Affymetrix platform will enable us to maximize
the data from our samples to uncover the true genetic causes of
diseases like type 2 diabetes," said Dr. Bowden.

Dr. Bowden added: "In particular, the SNP Array 6.0 is the only
platform to offer comprehensive coverage of both common genetic
variation and structural variation across different ethnicities,
enabling us to better understand the genetic components of specific
diseases affecting African-Americans. We hope that our work serves as
an example to investigators worldwide so that we can better understand
the role of genes and genetic variants in complex diseases."

Affymetrix genome-wide mapping arrays have been used in three
other recent groundbreaking studies on genetic associations for
diabetes, in which researchers are using the technology to discover
genes connected to type 2 diabetes in both Nordic and Parsi
populations.(1,2,3)

"Affymetrix is excited that another proven leader in genetic
research like CIDR has adopted our microarray platform. We look
forward to working with the team at CIDR on a number of innovative
research projects that will explore the genetic links to many
widespread illnesses," said Kevin King, president of Affymetrix.
"Because of its superior performance, the Affymetrix SNP Array 6.0
continues to propel researchers towards a clearer understanding of
common diseases like type 2 diabetes."

The Affymetrix SNP Array 6.0 is a single microarray that
simultaneously measures more than 1.8 million markers for genetic
variation. The array enables researchers to perform the most powerful
whole-genome association and copy number studies ever by genotyping
more markers across more individuals at a lower cost per sample. These
higher-powered studies increase the probability of discovering genes
associated with adverse drug response or complex diseases. For more
information about the SNP Array 6.0, please visit:
http://www.affymetrix.com/genechip/snp6.affx.

About Center for Inherited Disease Research

The Center for Inherited Disease Research (CIDR) is a centralized
services facility supported through a federally funded contract to
Johns Hopkins University. CIDR provides genotyping and statistical
genetics services for investigators seeking to identify genes that
contribute to human disease. CIDR concentrates its efforts on the
study and understanding of multifactorial hereditary diseases. CIDR is
available to all investigators through competitive peer review. More
information can be found at http://www.cidr.jhmi.edu/.

About Affymetrix

Affymetrix GeneChip(R) 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 Center for Inherited Disease Research 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(R) are
registered trademarks owned or used by Affymetrix Inc.

(1) Affymetrix signs agreement with Avesthagen Limited:
http://investor.affymetrix.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=116408&p=irol-newsArtic
le&ID=1121053&highlight. (Due to its length, this URL may need to be
copied/pasted into your Internet browser's address field. Remove the
extra space if one exists.)

(2) Saxena R., et al. Genome-wide association analysis identifies
loci for Type 2 diabetes and triglyceride levels. Science Magazine
316: 5829, 1331 - 1336 (2007)

(3) Zeggini E., et al. Replication of Genome-Wide Association
Signals in UK Samples Reveals Risk Loci for Type 2 Diabetes. Science
Magazine 316: 5829, 1336 - 1341 (2007)

SOURCE: Affymetrix Inc.

Affymetrix Inc.
Media:
Justin O'Kelly, 408-731-5991
PR Manager
Investors:
Doug Farrell, 408-731-5285
Vice President, Investor Relations

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