Monogram Biosciences Collaborates with Gilead Sciences for Elvitegravir Phase I...( PhenoSense GT(TM) and PhenoSense ...),Health

PhenoSense GT(TM) and PhenoSense Integrase(TM) assays used to study

promising new Integrase inhibitor

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., June 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Monogram Biosciences, Inc., (Nasdaq: MGRM) announced today that the Company has signed an agreement with Gilead Sciences, Inc. to provide resistance testing and consultative services for Gilead's Elvitegravir Phase III studies. Monogram assays will be used to screen patients for study enrollment and help select drugs to be given in conjunction with Elvitegravir during the study. Both Monogram's Integrase phenotype and genotype assays were used in Elvitegravir preclinical and Phase II studies, and will be used to evaluate Phase III patient outcomes. The Phase III studies are anticipated to begin enrolling patients later this year.

Elvitegravir is the most recent Gilead drug to enter Phase III and is the latest drug in the promising new class of drugs known as "Integrase inhibitors." Integrase is a viral enzyme that helps HIV integrate its genetic material into a healthy cell's DNA, allowing that cell to begin producing genetic material for new viruses. Integrase inhibitors block the action of this enzyme, interrupting the HIV life cycle before it can begin reproducing.

"Momentum in new ways to combat HIV, such as Integrase inhibitors, is vital to dealing with a virus that is becoming increasingly difficult to treat," said Bill Young, Monogram's chief executive officer. "The Elvitegravir development program shows the importance of strong collaborations between diagnostic and drug makers to more quickly get powerful new treatments into the hands of those who need them most."

About Monogram

Monogram is a biotechnology compa
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