Affymax, Inc. (NASDAQ: AFFY) today reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2012. The net loss for the third quarter of 2012 was $24.6 million (or ($0.68) per share) compared to a net loss of $9.8 million (or ($0.28) per share) for the third quarter of 2011.

Affymax recognized total revenue for the quarter ended September 30, 2012, of $13.6 million compared to $13.2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2011. Revenue for the quarter ended September 30, 2012 primarily consisted of a $10.4 million profit equalization payment earned from its partner, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (Takeda) related to OMONTYS® (peginesatide) Injection product sales during the period. OMONTYS net product sales, as provided by Takeda, were $15.0 million for the quarter. In addition, Affymax earned a $2.25 million milestone payment from Takeda during the quarter as a result of the commercial progress achieved with OMONTYS during its product launch. Revenue for the quarter ended September 30, 2011 consisted of a $10 million regulatory milestone payment from Takeda and pre-approval research and development and commercialization expenses reimbursable by Takeda.

Research and development expenses for the quarter ended September 30, 2012, were $11.4 million compared to $14.9 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2011. The decrease was primarily due to reduced consultant and personnel-related costs as a result of the completion of both the filing of the OMONTYS New Drug Application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in May 2011 and the preparation for an FDA advisory committee meeting which occurred in December 2011. These decreases were partially offset by clinical trial activity for the company’s Phase 3b trial during the current quarter.

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the quarter ended September 30, 2012, were $26.2 million compared to $8.2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2011. The increase was primarily due to increases in commercial and medical affairs costs, including personnel-related costs associated with the establishment of its commercial and medical affairs field organizations, as the company continues to execute on the launch and commercialization of OMONTYS.

The company had cash and investments of $100.0 million as of September 30, 2012.

Updated Financial Guidance

Affymax is updating its financial guidance for 2012. With respect to collaboration revenue, Affymax has earned milestone payments of $60.3 million and is not expecting additional milestone payments in 2012, consistent with its previously issued guidance. Affymax is not providing profit equalization payment or OMONTYS net product sales guidance for 2012.

With respect to operating expenses, Affymax now expects to incur $130 million to $135 million in total operating expenses for 2012, excluding stock based compensation. This reduction from the previously issued operating expense guidance of $135 million to $145 million for 2012 is primarily driven by lower than expected increases in selling, general and administrative expenses as a result of cost savings.

“We continue to be pleased with our commercial progress since the launch of OMONTYS in the second quarter of this year,” said John Orwin, chief executive officer of Affymax. “A number of dialysis providers are evaluating the conversion process and experience with OMONTYS, including a key large dialysis organization and four medium dialysis organizations, while some of the smaller dialysis providers have completely converted centers to the once-monthly drug.”

Conference Call with Management Today

Management will host a teleconference and webcast to provide a general business overview, as well as to discuss third quarter 2012 financial results today, November 8, 2012, at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time (1:30 p.m. Pacific Time).

Interested parties can listen to the live teleconference by dialing (866) 393-1565 from the U.S. or +1 (973) 409-9608 for international callers. Individuals may access the live audio webcast by visiting: http://www.investors.affymax.com/events.cfm. A replay of the webcast will be available on the Company's website for 30 days following the live event.

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 financial projections and condition, the continuation and success of the Company’s collaboration with Takeda and the commercialization of OMONTYS. The Company’s actual results may differ materially from those indicated in these forward-looking statements due to risks and uncertainties, including risks relating to 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, potential for disruptions to supply, financing requirements and 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. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement in this press release.