Understanding HIV's Co-Receptor Usage May Facilitate Targeting of Drugs to
                            Appropriate Patients

    NEW YORK and SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., May 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/
-- Pfizer Inc (NYSE: PFE) and Monogram Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: MGRM)
announced today a non-exclusive collaboration to make Monogram's HIV
Co-Receptor Tropism Assay available for patient use on a global basis. The
assay is a diagnostic tool to show tropism -- the path taken by the virus
to access human CD4 cells.
    Tropism information is intended to help identify patients who are most
likely to respond to a class of investigational drugs known as CCR5
antagonists. CCR5 antagonists are designed to block viral cell entry
through the CCR5 co-receptor. Studies have shown that 80-85 percent of
people newly diagnosed with HIV and previously untreated with HIV therapy
have dominant CCR5-tropic virus. This drops to 50-60 percent in patients
who have been treated before with anti-retroviral medicines.
    Pfizer has a CCR5 antagonist, maraviroc, in phase 3 development and has
used the Monogram tropism assay to select patients for enrollment in late-
stage clinical studies. The agreement announced today expands this clinical
trial collaboration and provides for global availability of Monogram's
assay in a multi-year collaboration.
    "Because of the important role the Co-Receptor Tropism Assay is
believed to play in CCR5 antagonist clinical development, we are pleased to
be expanding our partnership with Pfizer. We look forward to working
together so that the right medicine can be made available to the right
patients at the right time," said William D. Young, Monogram CEO.
    Under the terms of the agreement announced today, Pfizer and Monogram
will collaborate to make Monogram's Co-Receptor Tropism Assay available
globally. Pfizer also entered into an agreement to invest $25 million in
Monogram this month through a Senior Secured Convertible Note, payable in
May 2010. The closing of the investment is subject to customary closing
conditions.
    "CCR5 antagonists have a mechanism of action different from currently
approved drugs," said John LaMattina, president, Pfizer Global Research and
Development. "With this collaboration we are working to advance global
access to new diagnostics that may better assess the potential for CCR5
antagonists to fulfill an unmet medical need."
    About Pfizer
    Pfizer is committed to bringing meaningful improvement to the lives of
people living with HIV/AIDS and those at risk around the world. Our
commitment is embodied in our products, partnerships, pipeline and
philanthropy.
    Pfizer Global Research & Development is the world's largest privately
owned biomedical research organization. Pfizer Inc discovers, develops,
manufactures and markets leading prescription medicines, for humans and
animals, and many of the world's best-known consumer brands.
    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 .
    PFIZER DISCLOSURE NOTICE: The information contained in this release is
as of May 8, 2006. Pfizer assumes no obligation to update any
forward-looking statements contained in this release as the result of new
information or future events or developments.
    This release contains forward-looking information about a product
candidate and its potential benefits that involves substantial risks and
uncertainties. Such risks and uncertainties include, among other things,
the uncertainties inherent in research and development; decisions by
regulatory authorities regarding whether and when to approve any drug
applications that may be filed for the product candidate as well as their
decisions regarding labeling and other matters that could affect its
availability or commercial potential; and competitive developments.
    A further list and description of risks and uncertainties can be found
in Pfizer's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
31, 2005 and in its reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K.
    MONOGRAM DISCLOSURE NOTICE: Certain statements in this press release
are forward-looking. These forward-looking statements include references to
activities expected to occur in connection with the Collaboration Agreement
between Monogram and Pfizer, the role of the Co-Receptor Tropism Assay in
CCR5 antagonist clinical development, and Pfizer's expected investment in
Monogram. 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 related to the implementation of the
Collaboration Agreement between Monogram and Pfizer; the risk that the role
of the Co-Receptor Tropism Assay in CCR5 antagonist clinical development
may not be as significant as expected; the risk that Pfizer's investment in
Monogram may not be completed when expected, or at all; uncertainties
relating to the performance of Monogram's products; the size, timing and
success or failure of clinical trials for new classes of HIV drugs; the use
of Monogram's tests for patient use in the event of approval of any new
drugs; Monogram's ability to successfully conduct clinical studies and the
results obtained from those studies; whether larger confirmatory clinical
studies will confirm the results of initial studies; Monogram's ability to
establish reliable, high-volume operations at commercially reasonable
costs; the impact of competition; whether payors will authorize
reimbursement for Monogram's products and services; whether the FDA or any
other agency will decide to further regulate Monogram's products or
services; the ultimate validity and enforceability of Monogram's patent
applications and patents; the possible infringement of the intellectual
property of others; whether licenses to third party technology will be
available. For a discussion of other factors that may cause our actual
events to differ from those projected, please refer to Monogram's 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. Monogram does not undertake, and specifically disclaims 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.

Link to this page:

  

http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/688250.html/
CONTACT:
Kate Robins of Pfizer Inc, +1-860-732-9684;
or Alfred G. Merriweather, Chief Financial Officer, Monogram
Biosciences, Inc., +1-650-624-4576, or Jeremiah Hall of Feinstein
Kean Healthcare for Monogram Biosciences, Inc., +1-415-677-2700

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