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Computer industry

Hewlett-Packard and Affymetrix Join Forces in DNA Analysis

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Hewlett-Packard and Affymetrix Inc. have signed a joint product-development and marketing agreement to create a DNA-analysis system for use in non-clinical applications. The partnership brings together HP's instrument capabilities and Affymetrix's GeneChip technology to develop and market a system that can analyze complex genes thoroughly for large numbers of people. This collaboration is expected to accelerate the growth in understanding human diseases, with the potential to analyze genetic information quickly, efficiently, and accurately.

Key Takeaways:

  • The partnership between HP and Affymetrix aims to develop a DNA-analysis system for non-clinical applications, combining HP's instrument capabilities with Affymetrix's GeneChip technology.
  • Affymetrix's GeneChip technology uses photolithographic techniques and chemical synthesis to create miniaturized high-density arrays of DNA probes, allowing for the analysis of complex genes and genetic information.
  • The system is expected to offer a level of performance that will enable scientists to analyze complex genes thoroughly for large numbers of people, with the average time for analysis dropping from days to hours.
  • HP sees DNA analysis as an important approach to accelerate the growth in understanding human diseases, with the potential applications in infectious-disease, cancer, and therapeutic management.
  • The partnership plans to pursue clinical diagnostic and genomics applications with established diagnostic and pharmaceutical companies, respectively.
  • Affymetrix is a majority-owned subsidiary of Affymax N.V. (Nasdaq: AFMXF), with 65 employees and headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif.
  • Hewlett-Packard Company is a leading global manufacturer of computing, communications, and measurement products and services, with 98,400 employees and revenue of $25 billion in its 1994 fiscal year.

Statistics:

  • 1 million different DNA probes can be synthesized on a single GeneChip chip per square centimeter.
  • The system is expected to analyze genetic information rapidly, with the average time for analysis dropping from days to hours.
  • GeneChip technology has wide applications in infectious-disease, cancer, and therapeutic management.
  • HP's expertise can help accelerate the growth in understanding human diseases.

Sources:

  • "Hewlett-Packard Company and Affymetrix Inc. Announce Joint Agreement," Business Wire, November 21, 1994
  • "DNA CHIP TECHNOLOGY," Affymetrix Inc.
  • "Hewlett-Packard Company," Hewlett-Packard Company
  • "Affymetrix Inc.," Affymetrix Inc.

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