Pfizer, Monogram to make HIV co-receptor tropism test available globally

By Elaine Rigoli

Tampa, Fla., May 8 - Pfizer, Inc. and Monogram Biosciences, Inc. have entered into a non-exclusive collaboration to make Monogram's HIV co-receptor tropism assay available for patient use on a global basis.

Pfizer also agreed 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.

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% to 85% of people newly diagnosed with HIV and previously untreated with HIV therapy have dominant CCR5-tropic virus, according to a news release.

This drops to 50% to 60% 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 expands this clinical trial collaboration and provides for global availability of Monogram's assay in a multi-year collaboration, the release said.

Pfizer is an international pharmaceutical company based in New York.

Monogram, located in South San Francisco, Calif., develops products to guide and improve treatment of serious infectious diseases and cancer.

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