AFFYMETRIX SELECTS SINGAPORE FOR ITS FIRST MANUFACTURING FACILITY OUTSIDE THE U.S.

AFFYMETRIX INC., A CREATOR OF BREAKTHROUGH TOOLS THAT ARE DRIVING THE GENOMIC REVOLUTION, recently opened its manufacturing facility in Singapore. The new state-of-the-art building is Affymetrix's first manufacturing facility outside of the United States of America, enabling the company to better serve and support its growing international business.

Affymetrix develops and commercializes microarray systems that enable scientists to improve quality of life. Its GeneChip microarray technology is the industry-standard tool for analyzing complex genetic information. Today, Affymetrix technology is used by the world's top pharmaceutical, diagnostics and biotechnology companies, as well as leading academic, government and notfor- profit research institutes to analyze the relationship between genes and human health. More than 1,500 systems have been shipped around the world and more than 8,500 peer-reviewed papers have been published using the technology.

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.

"While Singapore offers a number of significant economic, political and lifestyle advantages, Affymetrix was most impressed with the country's commitment and support to the life sciences industry. In fact, a number of our most innovative and highly valued customers are here in Singapore, doing research in everything from cancer to population genetics to diabetes," says Kevin King, president of life sciences business and executive vice president, Affymetrix. "This new facility enables us to better serve and support our growing customer base around the world."

"This is an exciting day for Affymetrix as we officially open this state-of-theart manufacturing facility," says Warren Kocmond, senior vice president of global operations at Affymetrix. "Singapore is well-known for its highly educated, highly motivated work force and the local team did a tremendous job getting the site up and running in record time. We are proud to welcome these new colleagues to the Affymetrix family."

The opening ceremony was officiated by Aw Kah Peng, Assistant Managing Director, Economic Development Board. She says: "We are very pleased that Affymetrix is officially opening its manufacturing facility here. Within a short span of two years, five Scientific Instrumentation companies, including Affymetrix, have decided to set up manufacturing operations in Singapore. Singapore's strong process R&D capabilities in electronics and precision engineering, large pool of well-educated workers, and competitive tax environment are some of the reasons why companies like Affymetrix are attracted to manufacturing high value products in Singapore."