NEW YORK, May 8, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. ("NASDAQ") (Nasdaq:NDAQ) announced today the results of the semi-annual re-ranking of the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index(r) (NBI), which will become effective with the market open on Monday, May 18, 2009.
The re-ranking will result in the following four securities being added to the Index:
Facet Biotech Corporation (Nasdaq:FACT) is a biotechnology company. The Company researches and develops treatments for multiple sclerosis; ovarian and lung cancers; multiple myeloma; solid tumors; and immune system diseases.
Impax Laboratories, Inc. (Nasdaq:IPXL) develops, manufactures, and markets both proprietary and multi-source pharmaceutical products utilizing its drug delivery technologies. The Company specializes in the development of niche and controlled release generics, as well as the development of branded products.
Mylan Inc. (Nasdaq:MYL) develops, licenses, manufactures, markets, and distributes generic, brand and branded generic pharmaceutical products and active pharmaceutical ingredients. The Company sells its products to wholesalers, distributors, retail pharmacy chains, mail order pharmacies, group purchasing organizations, and healthcare professionals.
Questcor Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:QCOR) develops and commercializes novel central nervous system-focused therapeutics that address significant unmet medical needs. The Company's primary product is a natural source adrenocorticotropic hormone indicated for the treatment of acute exacerbations of multiple sclerosis, as well as a number of other conditions.
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.NASDAQOMX.com.
As a result of the re-ranking, ACADIA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:ACAD), Altus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:ALTU), Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:ANPI), AVI BioPharma, Inc. (Nasdaq:AVII), Caliper Life Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq:CALP), Cell Genesys, Inc. (Nasdaq:CEGE), Cerus Corporation (Nasdaq:CERS), CombinatoRx, Inc. (Nasdaq:CRXX), Eurand, N.V. (Nasdaq:EURX), GenVec, Inc. (Nasdaq:GNVC), Harvard Bioscience, Inc. (Nasdaq:HBIO), Hi-Tech Pharmacal Co., Inc. (Nasdaq:HITK), Monogram Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq:MGRM), Telik, Inc. (Nasdaq:TELK), Trimeris, Inc. (Nasdaq:TRMS), and Vanda Pharmaceuticals. Inc. (Nasdaq:VNDA) will be removed from the Index.
The NASDAQ Biotechnology Index is the basis for the iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology Index(sm) Fund (IBB), which seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index. In addition, options based on the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index and the iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology Index Fund trade on various exchanges.
The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. is the world's largest exchange company. It delivers trading, exchange technology and public company services across six continents, with approximately 3,800 listed companies. NASDAQ OMX offers multiple capital raising solutions to companies around the globe, including its U.S. listings market, NASDAQ OMX Nordic, NASDAQ OMX Baltic, NASDAQ OMX First North, and the U.S. 144A sector. The company offers trading across multiple asset classes including equities, derivatives, debt, commodities, structured products and exchange-traded funds. NASDAQ OMX technology supports the operations of over 70 exchanges, clearing organizations and central securities depositories in more than 50 countries. NASDAQ OMX Nordic and NASDAQ OMX Baltic are not legal entities but describe the common offering from NASDAQ OMX exchanges in Helsinki, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Iceland, Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius. For more information about NASDAQ OMX, visit http://www.nasdaqomx.com.
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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.
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