Semi-Annual Changes to the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index NEW YORK, May 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. ("NASDAQ") (BULLETIN BOARD: NDAQ) announced today the results of the semi- annual re-ranking of the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index(R) , which will become effective with the market open on Monday, May 24, 2004. The re-ranking will result in 26 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 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/. All securities being added to the Index will be phased into NASDAQ's Closing Cross effective Wednesday, May 19, 2004. 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(R) is the largest U.S. electronic stock market. With approximately 3,300 companies, it lists more companies and, on average, trades more shares per day than any other U.S. market. It is home to category-defining 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. Approximately 51% of NASDAQ-listed shares traded are reported to NASDAQ systems. For more information about NASDAQ, visit the NASDAQ Web site at http://www.nasdaq.com/ or the NASDAQ Newsroom(SM) at http://www.nasdaqnews.com/. The FTSE Global Classification System is compiled by FTSE International Limited. 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 AEterna Laboratories Inc. (NASDAQ:AELA) has a portfolio of marketed and development-stage biopharmaceutical products. The Company's products include Neovastat, an angiogenesis inhibitor in clinical trials for renal cell and non-small cell lung cancers, and Cetrotide, an IVF product. Bioveris Corporation (NASDAQ:BIOV) develops, manufactures, and markets products in the biodefense, life sciences, and industrial markets. The Company develops biological detection systems based on its proprietary technology, which is used in applications such as clinical diagnostics, pharmaceutical research, life science research, biodefense testing, and testing for food safety. Curis, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRIS) develops therapeutics for the regeneration and restoration of human tissues and organs. Cypress Bioscience, Inc. (NASDAQ:CYPB) provides products that improve the diagnosis and treatment of Functional Somatic Syndromes and other related pain and central nervous system conditions. Depomed, Inc. (NASDAQ:DEPO) develops new and proprietary oral drug delivery technologies. The Company has developed a system designed to be retained in the stomach for an extended period of time while it delivers the incorporated drug or drugs. Depomed has also developed a system designed to reduce gastrointestinal irritation. DOV Pharmaceutical, Inc. (NASDAQ:DOVP) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, acquisition, development, and commercialization of novel drugs. The Company is focused on drug candidates for cardiovascular, central nervous system, and urological disorders. DOV has several product candidates that address therapeutic indications with significant unmet needs. Dyax Corp. (NASDAQ:DYAX) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of antibodies, small proteins and peptides as therapeutic products for unmet medical needs, particularly in the areas of inflammation and oncology. The company currently has two recombinant proteins, DX-88 and DX-890 in phase II clinical trials. Forbes Medi-Tech Inc. (NASDAQ:FMTI) researches, develops, and commercializes pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products derived from forest industry by-products. The Company is currently developing cholesterol- lowering agents to be used with pharmaceutical therapeutics and food supplements to combat heart disease, and technology that converts plant sterols into pharmaceutical fine chemicals. Oscient Pharmaceuticals Corporation (NASDAQ:GENE) is a biopharmaceutical company committed to the clinical development and commercialization on therapeutics to address unmet medical needs. The Company's products include anti-infective therapeutic drugs. Guilford Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:GLFD) is a biopharmaceutical company that develops polymer-based therapeutics for cancer. The Company also develops novel products for the diagnosis and treatment of neurological diseases. Guilford is developing products for Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, stroke, severe head trauma, spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, and cocaine addiction. Genelabs Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:GNLB), a biopharmaceutical company, discovers and develops drugs. The Company's principal drug discovery program is based on proprietary enabling technologies for creating gene-specific, small organic, DNA-binding molecules. Illumina, Inc. (NASDAQ:ILMN) develops tools for the large-scale analysis of genetic variation and function. The Company's BeadArray technology uses fiber optics to achieve a level of array miniaturization that allows for a new scale of experimentation. Illumina is developing disposable BeadArray cassettes, reagent kits, and instruments. Keryx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:KERX) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the acquisition, development, and commercialization of novel pharmaceutical products for the treatment of life-threatening diseases, including diabetes and cancer. Keryx is developing KRX-101 (sulodexide), a novel first-in-class oral heparinold compound for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy. LifeCell Corporation (NASDAQ:LIFC) develops and commercializes tissue regeneration and cell preservation products. The Company's dermal tissue graft AlloDerm is used in the treatment of third-degree burns, periodontal surgery and reconstructive surgery. LifeCell's development programs entail various cell preservation methods. Maxim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAXM) develops drugs and therapies for cancer and infectious diseases. The Company's focus is to develop novel products that include pharmacoeconomic and disease management benefits, such as out-patient therapy, improved clinical efficiency, higher level of safety, cost-effective treatment, and improved patient compliance. Myogen, Inc (NASDAQ:MYOG) is a biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops and commercializes small molecule therapeutics. The Company focuses on treatments for cardiovascular disorders. Northfield Laboratories Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLD) is developing an alternative to transfused blood for use in the treatment of acute blood loss. The Company's PolyHeme blood substitute product is a solution of chemically modified hemoglobin derived from human blood. Nuvelo, Inc. (NASDAQ:NUVO) researches and develops novel biopharmaceutical products from its proprietary genes discovered using its screening-by-hybridization platform. The Company also develops molecular diagnostic tests by identifying genetic markers associated with response to cancer therapies, with the goal of optimizing patient care. Orchid BioSciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:ORCH) develops and commercializes genetic diversity technologies, products, and services. Genetic diversity information is used to facilitate the development and effectiveness of drugs and increase the success of tissue transplants. The Company's technologies apply to the healthcare, forensics, paternity testing, and livestock breeding fields. Pharmacyclics, Inc. (NASDAQ:PCYC) is a pharmaceutical company developing products to improve upon current therapeutic approaches to cancer, atherosclerosis, and retinal disease. The Company's products are patented agents derived from its technology platform for designing and synthesizing energy-potentiating drugs. Pharmion Corporation (NASDAQ:PHRM) is creating a global pharmaceutical company focused on acquiring, developing and commercializing products for the treatment of hematology and oncology patients. The Company has established regulatory, development and sales and marketing organizations covering the US, Europe, and Australia. Serologicals Corporation (NASDAQ:SERO) is a global provider of products and enabling technologies, which are essential for the research, development and manufacture of biologically-based life science products. The Company's products are used in a wide variety of innovative applications within the areas of oncology, hematology, immunology, cardiology and in the study of molecular biology. Seattle Genetics, Inc. (NASDAQ:SGEN) discovers and develops monoclonal antibody-based drugs to treat cancer and related diseases. The Company's technologies increase the potency and efficacy of monoclonal antibodies with specificity for cancer. Vasogen Inc. (NASDAQ:VSGN) researches and develops immune modulation therapies for the treatment of cardiovascular disease and other inflammatory disorders. Vasogen's lead product is currently in pivotal phase III clinical trials for the treatment of chronic heart failure (CHF) and peripheral arterial disease (PAD). VIVUS, Inc. (NASDAQ:VVUS) develops and manufactures therapies for the treatment of men with erectile dysfunction. The Company is currently marketing MUSE and ACTIS in the United States and has license agreements with other companies to market its products internationally. VIVUS is also conducting clinical trials for another treatment. ZymoGenetics, Inc. (NASDAQ:ZGEN) discovers, develops, and commercializes therapeutic proteins for the treatment of human disease. The Company's products include Novolin, NovoRapid, NovoSeven, and GlucoGen. Source: Bloomberg DATASOURCE: NASDAQ CONTACT: Media: Wayne Lee, +1-301-978-4875, or Issuers and Investors: Lisa Chaney, +1-301-978-8281, both of NASDAQ Web site: http://www.nasdaqnews.com/ http://www.nasdaq.com/

Copyright