Monogram Announces Issuance of Key Patents Related to VeraTag(TM) Technology

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., July 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Monogram
Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: MGRM) announced today that three key United States
Patents for its proprietary VeraTag(TM) technology have been issued (United
States Patent numbers 7,402,397; 7,402,398 and 7,402,399). The patents are
broad and relate to the use of Monogram's VeraTag technology for methods of
detecting and profiling protein complexes, including protein homodimers and
heterodimers. A European Patent (number 1278760) has also been issued in
respect of these claims.
Being able to detect and profile protein complexes is important because
proteins achieve their biological function when they interact, form protein
complexes and thereby trigger cellular signaling processes. In this way,
protein complexes are pivotal in regulating cellular survival and
proliferation in normal and cancer cells. Examples of protein complexes are
those involving the same proteins pairing up to form "homodimers" and
different proteins pairing up to form "heterodimers." Being able to detect
and profile normal and aberrant protein complexes, such as homodimers and
heterodimers, is believed to be important for predicting patient prognosis and
response to therapy.
The issued patent claims around the methods of profiling and detecting
protein complexes are broad and cover all types of protein complexes,
including homodimers and heterodimers, detected with the VeraTag method.
Examples of protein complexes covered by the patents include complexes
involving the ErbB (or HER) proteins, such as EFGR (or HER1), HER2, HER3, as
well as Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor receptors, such as VEGFR2, and
G-protein coupled receptors. Other such proteins include PI3 Kinase, Grb2,
SOS, Ras, Raf, IGF1-R, the platelet derived growth factor receptors and AKT
and most proteins involved in signal transduction.
"The latest issued patents provide patent protection for some of the most
important applications of our VeraTag technology -- those related to the
identification of protein complexes," said William D. Young, Monogram's Chief
Executive Officer. "We believe that determining the status of particular
protein complexes, such as homodimers and heterodimers, will be important for
determining whether a patient's tumor will respond to certain drugs."
"Protein complexes are considered to be critical to the mechanisms of
action of many cancer drugs," said Gordon Parry, Ph.D., Monogram's Vice
President of Oncology Research and Development. "Yet, until now, they have
not been readily measurable in tumor samples, in particular in formalin-fixed
paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples. Our VeraTag technology is changing that,
enabling accurate and quantitative measurements of protein complexes not
previously possible. This is a unique advantage of the VeraTag platform and
the patent protection achieved today is very important."
Monogram's worldwide patent portfolio includes 78 issued and pending
patents and patent applications related to its VeraTag technology, 102 issued
and pending patents and patent applications related to its virology technology
and 101 issued and pending patents and patent applications related to its
microfluidics technology. Monogram's corporate patent portfolio has recently
been ranked as one of the pre-eminent biotechnology portfolios in the country
based on science strength and commercial fit according to the Patent Board in
its annual Biotechnology Patent Scorecard.
About Monogram
Monogram is advancing individualized medicine by discovering, developing
and marketing innovative products to guide and improve treatment of serious
infectious diseases and cancer. The Company's products are designed to help
doctors optimize treatment regimens for their patients that lead to better
outcomes and reduced costs. The Company's technology is also being used by
numerous biopharmaceutical companies to develop new and improved antiviral
therapeutics and vaccines as well as targeted cancer therapeutics. More
information about the Company and its technology can be found on its web site
at www.monogrambio.com.
Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking. These
forward-looking statements include references to importance of protein
measurements to the prediction of response to certain cancer therapies and
successful development and commercialization of VeraTag assays. These
forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and other
factors, which may cause actual results to differ materially from the
anticipated results or other expectations expressed in such forward-looking
statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to:
risks and uncertainties relating to the performance of our products the risk
that we may not be able to obtain additional cohorts of patient samples for
additional VeraTag development and studies; actual market acceptance of our
products for patient use and adoption of our technological approach and
products by pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies; whether the FDA or any
other agency will decide to further regulate our products or services; the
ultimate validity and enforceability of our patent applications and patents;
the possible infringement of the intellectual property of others and whether
licenses to third party technology will be available. For a discussion of
other factors that may cause actual events to differ from those projected,
please refer to our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly
reports on Form 10-Q, as well as other subsequent filings with the Securities
and Exchange Commission. We do not undertake, and specifically disclaim any
obligation, to revise any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence
of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such
statements.
VeraTag is trademark of Monogram Biosciences, Inc.

Contacts: Alfred G. Merriweather Jeremiah Hall
Chief Financial Officer Feinstein Kean Healthcare
Tel: 650 624 4576 Tel: 415 677-2700
amerriweather@ jeremiah.hall@
monogrambio.com fkhealth.com

SOURCE Monogram Biosciences, Inc.

Alfred G. Merriweather, Chief Financial Officer of Monogram Biosciences, Inc.,
+1-650-624-4576, amerriweather@monogrambio.com, or Jeremiah Hall of Feinstein
Kean Healthcare, +1-415-677-2700, jeremiah.hall@fkhealth.com, for Monogram
Biosciences, Inc.