Affymax Announces Updates to Senior Leadership Team

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Affymax, Inc. (Nasdaq: AFFY) today announced the promotion of Christine Conroy, Pharm.D., to senior vice president, Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance, as well as Tim Varacek to vice president, Sales and Account Management. The company also announced Robert F. Venteicher, Ph.D., will retire as Affymax's senior vice president, technical operations effective March 31, 2013.

"We have made remarkable strides with OMONTYS in the past year, securing approval of this once-monthly erythropoiesis-stimulating agent and supporting its successful launch," said John Orwin, chief executive officer of Affymax. "Christine played a critical role in our successful New Drug Application and regulatory review of OMONTYS and has demonstrated continued leadership in Corporate Quality and Regulatory Affairs as we transitioned to a commercial-stage company. On the commercial front, Tim has been instrumental in forging timely relationships with our key customers and leading our sales team in their efforts. We are pleased to have Christine's and Tim's pertinent experience and expertise on our senior management team."

Dr. Conroy had served as vice president, Corporate Quality and Regulatory Affairs for Affymax since December 2011. She served as vice president Regulatory Affairs and Clinical Quality Assurance from July 2007 to November 2011, and she held positions with increasing levels of responsibility in Regulatory Affairs from October 2004 to July 2007. Before joining Affymax, Dr. Conroy held various senior level positions in the regulatory departments of Genitope Corporation and Roche Global Development. She started her career in the pharmaceutical industry in 1989 at Syntex Laboratories, Inc. in the Medical Services Department. She earned her Pharm.D. from the University of Kansas, School of Pharmacy, and her B.S. in pharmacy from the University of Colorado, School of Pharmacy.

Mr. Varacek had served as executive director, Sales and Account Management for Affymax since April 2011. Prior to joining Affymax, he served in various executive roles in Sales Management, and from January 2007 through March 2011 was responsible for managing national accounts for Amgen's nephrology franchise. During his tenure at Amgen, he also served in various management positions within Marketing and Sales Operations. Prior to Amgen, Mr. Varacek held positions in Sales, Sales Management and Sales Training at Bristol-Myers Squibb Inc. Mr. Varacek earned a B.S. in Biology from Binghamton University.

John Orwin continued, "I would also like to thank Bob for his significant contributions throughout his close to six year tenure with the company. We wish him well in his retirement."

About Affymax, Inc.

Affymax, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company based in Palo Alto, California. Affymax's mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative therapies that improve the lives of patients with kidney disease and other serious and often life-threatening illnesses.

The company's first marketed product, OMONTYS® (peginesatide) Injection, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in March 2012. For additional information, please visit www.affymax.com.

This release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the potential of OMONTYS, the continuation and success of Affymax's collaboration with Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc. and the commercialization of OMONTYS. Affymax's actual results may differ materially from those indicated in these forward-looking statements due to risks and uncertainties, including risks relating to the factors affecting the commercial potential of OMONTYS, the continued safety and efficacy of OMONTYS, industry and competitive environment, regulatory requirements by the FDA or other regulatory authorities, including post-marketing studies, trials and Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy, the potential for disruptions to supply, financing requirements and our ability to access capital and other matters that are described in Affymax's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. Affymax undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement in this press release.

Affymax, Inc.
Sylvia Wheeler, 650-812-8861
Vice President, Corporate Communications

Source: Affymax, Inc.

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