NEW YORK, May 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.
("NASDAQ") (Nasdaq: NDAQ) announced today the results of the semi-annual re-
ranking of the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index(R) (Nasdaq: NBI), which will become
effective with the market open on Monday, May 23, 2005.
The re-ranking will result in 10 securities being added to the Index. All
securities are classified according to the FTSE Global Classification
System(TM) as biotechnology or pharmaceutical. The securities that meet the
classification criteria then must meet other Index eligibility criteria
including listing on the NASDAQ National Market(R) and meeting minimum
requirements for market value, average daily share volume and seasoning as a
public company. The Index is ranked on a semi-annual basis in May and
November. For more information about the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index,
including eligibility criteria, visit http://www.NASDAQ.com.
As a result of the re-ranking, Avigen Inc (Nasdaq: AVGN), EXACT Sciences
Corporation (Nasdaq: EXAS), Forbes Medi-Tech Inc. (Nasdaq: FMTI), Gen-Probe
Incorporated (Nasdaq: GPRO), and Maxim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: MAXM)
will be removed from the Index.
The NASDAQ Biotechnology Index is the basis for the iShares Nasdaq
Biotechnology Index(SM) Fund (Amex: IBB), which seeks investment results that
generally correspond to the price and yield performance of the NASDAQ
Biotechnology Index before fees and expenses. In addition, options based on
the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index and the iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology Index Fund
trade on various exchanges.
NASDAQ is the largest U.S. electronic stock market. With approximately
3,200 companies, it lists more companies and, on average, trades more shares
per day than any other U.S. market. It is home to companies that are leaders
across all areas of business including technology, retail, communications,
financial services, transportation, media and biotechnology. NASDAQ is the
primary market for trading NASDAQ-listed stocks. For more information about
NASDAQ, visit the NASDAQ Web site at http://www.nasdaq.com or the NASDAQ
Newsroom at http://www.nasdaq.com/newsroom/.
The FTSE Global Classification System is compiled by FTSE International
Limited. (C)FTSE International Limited 2004.
FTSE(TM) is a trademark of the London Stock Exchange Plc and The Financial
Times Limited and is used by FTSE International Limited under license.
iShares are distributed by SEI Investments Distribution Co. Barclays
Global Fund Advisors serves as an advisor to iShares and is a subsidiary of
Barclays Global Investors, N.A., neither of which is affiliated with SEI. For
a prospectus, call 1-800-iSHARES (1-800-474-2737).
IShares are not FDIC Insured.
Have No Bank Guarantee.
May Lose Value.
Company Briefs
Barrier Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: BTRX) is a pharmaceutical company
focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of pharmaceutical
products in the field of dermatology.
Cardiome Pharma Corp. (Nasdaq: CRME) is a life sciences company focused on
developing proprietary drugs to treat or prevent cardiovascular diseases.
DRAXIS Health Inc. (Nasdaq: DRAX) is a specialty pharmaceutical company
providing products in three categories; sterile pharmaceuticals, non-sterile
specialty pharmaceuticals, and radiopharmaceuticals.
Genitope Corporation (Nasdaq: GTOP) is a biotechnology company focused on
the research and development of novel immunotherapies for the treatment of
cancer.
Idenix Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: IDIX) is a biopharmaceutical company
engaged in the discovery, development and commercialization of drugs for the
treatment of human viral and other infectious diseases.
ISTA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ISTA) is a specialty pharmaceutical
company focused on the commercialization and development of proprietary
therapeutic products that treat diseases and disorders of the eye.
MannKind Corporation (Nasdaq: MNKD) is a biopharmaceutical company focused
on the discovery, development and commercialization of therapeutic products
for diseases such as diabetes and cancer.
Progenics Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: PGNX) is a biopharmaceutical
company focusing on the development and commercialization of products for the
treatment of HIV infection and cancer.
Tercica, Inc. (Nasdaq: TRCA) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the
development and commercialization of new therapeutics for the treatment of
short stature and other related metabolic disorders.
ViroLogic, Inc. (Nasdaq: VLGC) is a biotechnology company that discovers,
develops and markets products to guide and improve treatment of serious
infectious diseases and cancer.
SOURCE NASDAQ
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CONTACT:
Media Contact: Wayne Lee, +1-301-978-4875,
or Issuer and Investor Contact: Lisa Chaney, +1-301-978-8281,
both of NASDAQ
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