NEW YORK (GenomeWeb News) – Monogram Biosciences today said that Pfizer has exercised its right to extend the collaborative agreement between the firms regarding marketing of Monogram's Trofile test with Pfizer's maraviroc (Selzentry) drug.
The firms have been making the Trofile assay available on a global basis in support of the launches of Selzentry, which is used to treat CCR5-tropic HIV-1. The assay helps physicians determine which patients would benefit from treatment with the drug.
The initial term of the collaboration was set to expire at the end of this year. Pfizer has five separate options that are exercisable annually to extend the agreement for one year each, South San Francisco, Calif.-based Monogram said.
Through the most recent extension, which expires at the end of 2010, Pfizer and Monogram will make Trofile available outside of the US.
In a research note this morning, Thomas Weisel Partners analyst Peter Lawson said that the extension "highlights Pfizer's support for the arrangement." He noted that Schering-Plough is expected to file its CCR5-antagonist for Food and Drug Administration clearance this year, which could be used with Trofile to identify appropriate patients.
In Monday afternoon trade on the Nasdaq, shares of Monogram were up 13 percent at $2.49.