Pfizer Gains Access to Affymetrix GeneChip Technology

Affymetrix, Inc. (Santa Clara, CA) has entered into an EasyAccess Silver agreement with Pfizer, Inc. (New York). Under this agreement, Pfizer will gain preferential access to Affymetrix's standard and custom GeneChip arrays—instrumentation and software to monitor gene expression for use in its pharmaceutical research and development activities.

Affymetrix's EasyAccess packages are volume discount pricing arrangements designed to meet the needs of large research organizations that want preferential and broad access to Affymetrix's GeneChip technology. In addition to purchasing standard Affymetrix GeneChip probe arrays (derived from the public databases), Pfizer has the right to purchase custom GeneChip products based on gene sequence or database information available to Pfizer.

Additional EasyAccess customers include: American Home Products/Genetics Institute, Eos Biotechnology, Inc., F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Hoechst Marion Roussel, Inc., Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Parke-Davis Pharmaceutical Division of Warner-Lambert Company and Rhone-Poulenc Rorer.

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

Pfizer is a producer of prescription drugs.

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.