MGRM Monogram Technologies Inc

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 http://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 DATASOURCE: Monogram Biosciences, Inc. CONTACT: Alfred G. Merriweather, Chief Financial Officer of Monogram Biosciences, Inc., +1-650-624-4576, , or Jeremiah Hall of Feinstein Kean Healthcare, +1-415-677-2700, , for Monogram Biosciences, Inc.

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