Affymetrix has entered into an agreement to distribute Almac's proprietary Xcel array.
Almac’s Xcel array, built on Affymetrix’ GeneChip platform, is a transcriptome-based microarray used to discover and develop biomarkers from formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue.
The content of Xcel array has been derived from sequence data, as well as mining public gene expression and sequence databases and contains over 97,000 transcripts including antisense, non-coding transcripts.
Affymetrix expression business lead Kevin Cannon said researchers now have the ability to carry out retrospective studies for discovery and validation of gene expression biomarkers and translate them into clinical practices.
"This array represents a significant technology advancement, and combined with Genisphere’s Sensation reagents address a much needed FFPE workflow solution for gene expression profiling and biomarker discovery," Cannon added.