New York, May 12, 2006 — The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ®”;
NASDAQ: NDAQ) announced today the results of the semi-annual re-ranking of the
NASDAQ Biotechnology Index ® (NASDAQ: NBI), which will become
effective with the market open on Monday, May 22, 2006.
The re-ranking will result in 15 securities being added to the Index. All
securities are classified according to the Industry Classification Benchmark
(ICB) as either biotechnology or pharmaceutical. The securities that meet the
classification criteria then must meet other Index eligibility criteria
including listing on the NASDAQ National Market® 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 www.NASDAQ.com
.
As a result of the re-ranking, Accelrys, Inc. (NASDAQ: ACCL), Affymetrix, Inc.
(NASDAQ: AFFX), BioVeris Corporation (NASDAQ: BIOV), Biosite, Inc. (NASDAQ:
BSTE), Caliper Life Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: CALP), Luminex Corporation (NASDAQ:
LMNX), Martek Biosciences Corporation (NASDAQ: MATK), PAREXEL International
Corporation (NASDAQ: PRXL), SFBC International, Inc. (NASDAQ: SFCC), will be
removed from the Index due to a change in their classification by ICB.
The NASDAQ Biotechnology Index is the basis for the iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology
IndexSM 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 Industry Classification Benchmark (“ICB”) is jointly owned by FTSE
International Limited (“FTSE”) and Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
FTSETM is a trademark of the London Stock Exchange Plc and The Financial Times
Limited and is used by FTSE International Limited under license.
“Dow Jones” and “DJ” are trademarks of Dow Jones & Company Inc.
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
ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: ACAD) is a biopharmaceutical company
focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of small molecule
drugs for the treatment of central nervous system disorders.
Adams Respiratory Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: ARXT) is a specialty
pharmaceutical company focused on the late-stage development, commercialization
and marketing of over-the-counter, or OTC and prescription pharmaceuticals for
the treatment of respiratory disorders.
Aspreva Pharmaceuticals Corporation (NASDAQ: ASPV) identifies, develops, and
commercializes new indications for approved drugs and drug candidates for
underserved patient populations.
AVI BioPharma, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVII) is a biopharmaceutical company that develops
and commercializes products principally based on third-generation NEUGENE
antisense technology. The Company’s products in development target
life-threatening diseases, including cardiovascular disease, infectious
disease, and cancer.
Columbia Laboratories, Inc. (NASDAQ: CBRX) is an international pharmaceutical
company that develops and markets women’s health care and endocrinology
products. The Company develops products intended to treat infertility,
dysmenorrhea, endometriosis, and hormonal deficiencies, primarily utilizing its
Bioadhesive Delivery System Technology.
Cerus Corporation (NASDAQ: CERS) develops systems designed to enhance the
safety of blood transfusions. The Company’s systems inactivate pathogens in
blood components and inactivate white blood cells, which are responsible for a
variety of adverse transfusion reactions.
CollaGenex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: CGPI) is a specialty pharmaceutical
company focused on developing and marketing innovative pharmaceutical products
for the dermatology market.
Genomic Health, Inc. (NASDAQ: GHDX) is a life science company focused on the
development and commercialization of genomic-based clinical diagnostic tests
for cancer. The Company’s tests allow physicians and patients to make
individualized treatment decisions.
GTx, Inc. (NASDAQ: GTXI) discovers, and commercializes therapeutics primarily
related to the treatment of serious men’s health conditions. The Company’s drug
discovery and development programs are focused on small molecules that
selectively modulate the effects of estrogens and androgens, two essential
classes of hormones. Inhibitex, Inc. (NASDAQ: INHX) is a biopharmaceutical
company that discovers, develops, and commercializes novel antibody-based
products. The Company develops products for the prevention and treatment of
serious bacterial and fungal infections in the hospital setting.
Matrixx Initiatives Inc. (NASDAQ: MTXX) Matrixx Initiatives, Inc. is engaged in
the development, manufacture and marketing of over-the-counter healthcare
products that utilize innovative drug delivery systems.
New River Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: NRPH) is a specialty pharmaceutical
company developing safer and improved versions of widely-prescribed drugs in
large and growing markets.
Novavax, Inc. (NASDAQ: NVAX) a biopharmaceutical company, researches and
develops proprietary topical and oral drug delivery technologies.
Solexa, Inc. (NASDAQ: SLXA) is developing a method of gene tic analysis based
on sequencing-by-synthesis and molecular arrays. The Company intends to offer
different types of genetic analysis, including DNA sequencing, gene expression,
genotyping, and micro-RNA analysis.
Threshold Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: THLD) is a biotechnology company
focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of small molecule
therapeutics based on Metabolic Targeting, an approach that targets fundamental
differences in metabolism between normal and certain diseased cells.
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Media Contact:
Wayne Lee, NASDAQ
301.978.4875
Issuer & Investor Contact:
Lisa Chaney, NASDAQ 301.978.8281
