SANTA CLARA--Affymetrix and Oncormed announced they will codevelop a gene expression database as a tool to enable the use of gene expression data in drug development by third party subscribers. The new agreement further leverages Oncormed's strength in gene characterization and pharmacogenomics with Affymetrix's GeneChip expression analysis tools. The collaboration is the third in a series of agreements between the companies, representing a relationship that began with the development and validation of a GeneChip assay for identifying mutations in the p53 gene.