Paradigm Genetics and Affymetrix sign microarray technology agreements.

Paradigm Genetics, Inc. (Rsearch Triangle Park, NC) and Affymetrix (Santa Clara, CA) have entered into a services agreement whereby Paradigm Genetics will provide microarray processing services using Affymetrix GeneChip technology. Additionally, the companies signed a Biotech Access Agreement providing Paradigm the right to use Affymetrix technologies for Paradigm internal research programs.

The two agreements will give Paradigm Genetics' customers and researchers access to Affymetrix GeneChip microarray technology, including the new Human Genome U133 Plus 2.0 Array, providing the protein-coding content of the human genome, nearly 50,000 RNA transcripts and variants, on a single microarray.

"By partnering with Affymetrix, the market leader for microarray products, we gain the necessary access to a much larger market to accelerate revenue for our microarray business. Through this agreement, we become the only high-end, commercial entity that can process arrays using multiple platforms. Needless to say, access to Affymetrix technology will benefit our emerging human health discovery programs," said Heinrich Gugger, Ph.D., president and CEO of Paradigm Genetics. "In the nine months since we launched our microarray services business, we've established ourselves as a provider of the highest quality microarray services. Not only are we equipped to handle high-volume orders in unprecedented turnaround times, we provide professional services ranging from consultation on experimental design through data analysis."

"The fact that Paradigm has signed both a service and a Biotech Access agreement with us speaks to their belief that our technologies will help drive both their microarray services business and their own research efforts as well," said Trevor Nicholls, Chief Commercial Officer of Affymetrix. "We are pleased to work with Paradigm as we continue to make advances in the development of powerful technologies to explore and analyze the genome."

Paradigm is a biotechnology company that increases R&D productivity by focusing its integrated suite of technologies on the product development cycle, from target discovery to subsequent enhancement of the safety and efficacy profiles of development candidates in agriculture and human health. Paradigm uses a systems biology approach to understand gene function in the context of biological pathways, to develop assays and biomarkers for molecular diagnostic solutions tailored to the needs of our partners. Paradigm's proprietary Gene to Cell to System approach has four major components: gene expression profiling, biochemical profiling (also known as metabolomics), phenotypic profiling and data integration and coherence.

Affymetrix is a pioneer in creating breakthrough tools that are driving the genomic revolution. By applying the principles of semiconductor technology to the life sciences, Affymetrix develops and commercializes systems that enable scientists to improve the quality of life. The company's customers include pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agrichemical, diagnostics and consumer products companies as well as academic, government and other non-profit research institutes. Affymetrix offers an expanding portfolio of integrated products and services, including its integrated GeneChip platform, to address growing markets focused on understanding the relationship between genes and human health.

Paradigm Genetics, Inc.

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www.paradigmgenetics.com

Affymetrix

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www.affymetrix.com