Spreading the Chips Around
Executive Summary
Affymetrix has long contended that its first-mover advantage in technology development and in the research market would secure for it a leading position in the gene-based microarray (gene chip) business, first in the research market and then, as applications moved downstream, into drug development and, eventually, clinical diagnostic testing. As for the first phase of its plan, it looks like the company was right. Several competitors have left the chip field, and Affymetrix is largely responsible for driving them out.