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Affymetrix shipped more than 200,000 GeneChip arrays in 2000, doubling 1999 levels.
Gold Standard
Affymetrix’ GeneChip technology sets the gold standard for gene expression profiling, which focuses on understanding gene function in applications such as drug discovery and development. In this large and growing market, the Company serves researchers in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, academic, agriculture, consumer products and diagnostic industries, which currently spend in excess of $60 billion on R&D annually. To facilitate their efforts and ensure optimal results, Affymetrix provides scientists with a total system solution consisting of GeneChip arrays, reagents, instruments and software. This integrated system solution also provides a common platform for researchers conducting genotyping studies utilizing the HuSNP™ Mapping Assay, a powerful and cost-effective tool for conducting genetic linkage studies.
New Levels of Information Content and Value
To meet a wider range of customer needs, Affymetrix expanded its gene expression product portfolio in 2000, adding new whole genome GeneChip arrays for E.coli and Drosophila as well as next generation human, mouse, rat and yeast arrays. Also notable was the launch of a powerful new product for human genome analysis. This offering includes a single array representing 12,000 full-length human sequences and four additional arrays representing about 50,000 ESTs. In addition, the Company introduced the Arabidopsis Genome Array for the agricultural research market. Arabidopsis is one of the most important model systems used in plant science today. In all, Affymetrix introduced 18 new array, instrument and software products in the past year.
Organizational Growth
In 2000, Affymetrix made major strides in building a world-class commercial infrastructure. The Company increased its manufacturing capacity to meet the growing demand for its products well into the future. To support the adoption of GeneChip technology by researchers worldwide, Affymetrix also strengthened its sales, marketing and support capabilities by extending its worldwide operations to the Americas, Asia-Pacific and Europe.