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Affymax Names Andrew Blair, M.D., as Vice President of Medical Affairs

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^{Published in Health and Fitness on Tuesday, April 12th 2011 at 13:10 GMT by Market Wire}  

PALO ALTO, Calif.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Affymax, Inc. (Nasdaq: AFFY) today announced that Andrew T. Blair, M.D., a nephrologist with over a decade of experience leading development strategy, regulatory and medical affairs for early- to late-stage renal disease programs, has joined the company as vice president of Medical Affairs.

"He brings a formidable background in oversight of development, regulatory management, and commercialization of drugs specific to renal disease."

aAndrew joins Affymax at a pivotal point in our companya™s journey and his expertise will be invaluable to building a world-class Medical Affairs organization and supporting the successful launch of peginesatide,a said John Orwin, chief executive officer of Affymax. aHe brings a formidable background in oversight of development, regulatory management, and commercialization of drugs specific to renal disease.a

Prior to joining Affymax, Dr. Blair was vice president of Clinical Research for Proteon Therapeutics. In that position he served as the clinical lead in the planning, design, implementation, and ongoing management of a development program for the treatment of vascular access in patients with chronic kidney disease and of peripheral arterial disease. Previously, Dr. Blair was vice president of Clinical Research at Genzyme Corporation. While at Genzyme he led critical clinical initiatives for the Renal business unit, including: clinical trial activity for Renagel^®, Renvela^® and Hectorol^®; the successful filing for the approval of the Renvela^® NDA; and the largest interventional outcome study in hemodialysis patients.He also led the US/Europe biomedical regulatory affairs and US Renal Medical Affairs group. Before that, Dr. Blair served as medical director for the end-stage Renal Disease Program at the University of Texas Medical Branch. Dr. Blair earned his medical degree at Rush Medical School in Chicago, IL.

About Affymax, Inc.

Affymax, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company committed to developing novel drugs to improve the treatment of serious and often life-threatening conditions. Affymax's product candidate, Hematidea"/peginesatide, recently completed Phase 3 clinical trials for the treatment of anemia associated with chronic renal failure. For additional information, please visit [ www.affymax.com ].