Affymetrix, NCI Grant Biomedical Researchers Access to GeneChip Technology

Affymetrix Inc. (Santa Clara, CA) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) have reached an agreement that will allow the biomedical research community broad access to Affymetrix' GeneChip probe array technology. The two parties have agreed that the Affymetrix GeneChip technology will be available to academic and other not-for-profit scientific researchers in a manner that is consistent with the NCI's guidelines for the broad dissemination of research tools and Affymetrix's commercial goals.

Under the agreement, researchers will be able to publish scientific results via traditional and emerging electronic means; collaborate with their academic, governmental, and commercial scientific colleagues; and retain rights to their genetic discoveries. The specific terms and conditions are available from Affymetrix. Volume price discounts are available, and can be negotiated directly with Affymetrix by each institution.

To foster the active incorporation of this technology into research activities, NCI has created a number of novel approaches to support integration and use. NCI is providing administrative supplements to NCI grantees to purchase DNA array equipment. NCI is also providing supplements to NCI-supported Special Programs in Research Excellence (Spores) to support application of comprehensive molecular technologies in translational cancer research. In addition, NCI recently issued a Request for Application (RFA) entitled "Director's Challenge: Toward a Molecular Classification of Tumors" which will support application of these technologies to clinical specimens in order to determine molecular profiles that will identify clinically relevant subsets of tumors.

Affymetrix uses their GeneChip system to acquire, analyze and manage genetic information in order to improve the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of disease.

For more information: Stephen Fodor, President and Chief Executive Officer, Affymetrix, Inc., 3380 Central Expressway, Santa Clara, CA 95051. Tel: 408-731-5000. Fax: 408-481-0422. Email: steve_fodor@affymetrix.com.