Affymetrix and Beckman Coulter forge alliance to provide optimized genomic research solutions

Affymetrix, Inc. (Nasdaq: AFFX) and Beckman Coulter, Inc. today announced that they have entered into an agreement to offer researchers co-developed products from the market leaders in microarrays and automated liquid handlers. The collaboration will provide scientists with optimized, robust solutions for genomic research, fortified by end-to-end support.

The partnership will yield an expanding list of Affymetrix-validated automated target preparation methods, developed on an Affymetrix-specific configuration of Beckman Coulter’s precise and reliable Biomek FX^p Dual Arm Multichannel–Span 8 Liquid Handler. This platform will provide researchers with standardized systems that include all components necessary to run Affymetrix genotyping and gene expression assays.

Major benefits of the solution will include the flexibility to process samples using Affymetrix GeneChip^® Arrays or Array Plates with a single method, user-friendly interfaces, rapid implementation of new methods, a validated platform, elimination of costly mistakes and delivery of high-quality results.

“Beckman Coulter’s long history in manufacturing quality automation platforms with proven reliability make the company the ideal partner for developing automated target prep assays,” said Kevin King, president and CEO of Affymetrix. “These products not only provide a much needed target prep solution for our large installed base of GeneChip Array cartridge users, but very importantly, this agreement aligns with our strategic goals to reengineer the Affymetrix platform. With automated target prep robotics in front of our GeneTitan™ System, our customers will benefit from walk-away automation from prepared samples all the way through array processing and data generation.”

“We chose to work with Affymetrix because their genomics expertise and technologies are a great match for Beckman Coulter’s automation solutions,” said Wing Pang, corporate vice president of discovery products at Beckman Coulter. “Customers will soon see the fruits of this collaboration with the availability of automated target prep solutions for microarrays that address a wide range of sophisticated genetic analysis assays.”

Automated target preparation solutions from Affymetrix and Beckman Coulter are for research use only and are not for use in diagnostic procedures.

The Biomek FX^p Dual Arm Multichannel–Span 8 Liquid Handler is for laboratory use only and not for use in diagnostic procedures.