Affymetrix, Silicon Genetics, Finalize Agreement to Streamline Microarray Analysis; Companies to Develop Integrated Workflows for High Volume Microarray Research.

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

BIOWIRE2K

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 11, 2004

Silicon Genetics announced today that it has entered into a cooperative relationship with Affymetrix (Nasdaq:AFFX). As part of the relationship, the two companies will work together to integrate their respective technologies, enabling new levels of productivity and throughput in functional genomics research.

This relationship is the second agreement signed between Affymetrix, the leading provider of genomic microarray technology, and Silicon Genetics, the leading provider of expression analysis software. In July of 2003, the companies concluded an agreement allowing Silicon Genetics to redistribute Affymetrix(R) GeneChip(R) probe level data directly within Silicon Genetics' application software.

"We are very pleased to formalize this next level of our relationship with Affymetrix," said Kevin Wandryk, vice president of marketing and business development at Silicon Genetics. "For several years, our technologies have been used side-by-side in a number of the world's leading research institutions. During that time, we've jointly worked to improve the workflow across our product lines. This next step provides a framework for delivering the smooth, seamless workflows that will help our mutual customers fulfill the promise of their research."

Both companies have long recognized their customers' desire for an easier way to synchronize data exchange between their products. Past collaborations have resulted in a number of links between the companies' technologies, including:

-- Simplified data import of Affymetrix GeneChip samples via

"dragging-and-dropping" data files onto the GeneSpring(R)

workspace

-- Facilities for automating high volume data import from the

Affymetrix GeneChip Operating Software (GCOS) directly into

Silicon Genetics GeNet(TM)

-- Automatic recognition of, and customized transformations for,

data imported directly from GCOS into GeneSpring

-- GeneSpring dynamically creating ontologies through direct

utilization of Affymetrix NetAffx(TM) annotations

"Silicon Genetics is among the most recognized providers of quality commercial software and support serving the microarray analysis market," said Scott Jokerst, senior product marketing manager at Affymetrix. "We are quite proud to be working closely with the company on a variety of endeavors designed to make it easier for our customers to manage, analyze and interpret their GeneChip(R) microarray data."

About Silicon Genetics

Silicon Genetics is the leading provider of expression data analysis and management solutions that accelerate the pace of functional genomics research and drug discovery. With combined expertise in biostatistics, molecular biology, and information technology, Silicon Genetics is the only company to offer scalability that meets the demands of both high throughput sample volumes and increasing numbers of users. Thousands of scientists at hundreds of organizations, including 12 of the world's top 13 pharmaceutical companies, currently use Silicon Genetics desktop and enterprise solutions to advance their research. Additional information about Silicon Genetics and its products and services can be found at www.silicongenetics.com.