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

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