New York, NY, November 10, 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, November 20,
2006.
The re-ranking will result in 11 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
Global Market or the NASDAQ Global Select
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, Draxis
Health Inc. (NASDAQ: DRAX) will be removed
from the Index.
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
screen-based equity securities market
in the United States. 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.
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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
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and Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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Distribution Co. Barclays Global Fund
Advisors serves as an advisor to iShares
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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
Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: ACOR)
is a biotechnology company that is developing
therapies for spinal cord injury and related
neurological conditions, including multiple
sclerosis. Additionally, Acorda is developing
multiple approaches to regeneration and
repair of the spinal cord and brain.
Allos Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALTH)
is a biopharmaceutical company focused
on the development and commercialization
of small molecule therapeutics for the
treatment of cancer.
Altus Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: ALTU)
is a biopharmaceutical company focused
on the development and commercialization
of oral and injectable protein therapeutics
for chronic gastrointestinal and metabolic
disorders.
Auxilium Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:
AUXL) develops and commercializes pharmaceutical
products that target urologic and sexual
health disorders.
Avanir Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: AVNR)
is a drug discovery and development company
focused on novel treatments for chronic
diseases.
Coley Pharmaceutical Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:
COLY) is a biotechnology company that
develops a new class of investigational
drug candidates that direct the human
immune system to fight cancers, infectious
diseases and asthma and allergy.
Labopharm Inc. (NASDAQ: DDSS) is an international
specialty pharmaceutical company focused
on the development of drugs
Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: ACOR)
is a biotechnology company that is developing
therapies for spinal cord injury and related
neurological conditions, including multiple
sclerosis. Additionally, Acorda is developing
multiple approaches to regeneration and
repair of the spinal cord and brain.
Allos Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALTH)
is a biopharmaceutical company focused
on the development and commercialization
of small molecule therapeutics for the
treatment of cancer.
Altus Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: ALTU)
is a biopharmaceutical company focused
on the development and commercialization
of oral and injectable protein therapeutics
for chronic gastrointestinal and metabolic
disorders.
Auxilium Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:
AUXL) develops and commercializes pharmaceutical
products that target urologic and sexual
health disorders.
Avanir Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: AVNR)
is a drug discovery and development company
focused on novel treatments for chronic
diseases.
Coley Pharmaceutical Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:
COLY) is a biotechnology company that
develops a new class of investigational
drug candidates that direct the human
immune system to fight cancers, infectious
diseases and asthma and allergy.
Labopharm Inc. (NASDAQ: DDSS) is an international
specialty pharmaceutical company focused
on the development of drugs incorporating
the Company's proprietary advanced controlled-release
technologies.
Emisphere Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:
EMIS) is developing technologies which
are intended to surmount the obstacles
associated with the oral administration
of many currently injectable therapeutic
agents. The Company and its partners are
developing oral formulations of heparin
products and protein therapeutics.
Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ:
LGND) develops drugs which regulate hormone
activated intracellular receptors. These
receptors play a role in regulating the
genetic processes affecting diseases such
as gynecological disorders, certain cancers,
as well as cardiovascular, inflammatory,
and skin diseases.
Omrix Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:
OMRI) develops and markets biosurgical
and passive immunotherapy products derived
from human plasma. The Company's products
are used to treat immune deficiencies
and infectious diseases.
Xenoport, Inc. (NASDAQ: XNPT) is biopharmaceutical
company focused on developing a portfolio
of internally discovered product candidates
that utilize the body's natural nutrient
transporter mechanisms to improve the
therapeutic benefits of existing drugs.
# # #
Media Contact:
Wayne Lee, NASDAQ
301.978.4875
Issuer and Investor Contact:
Lisa Chaney
301.978.8281
