The re-ranking will result in 5 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, AtheroGenics, Inc. (Nasdaq:AGIX), Anadys Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:ANDS), CuraGen Corp. (Nasdaq:CRGN), Labopharm, Inc. (Nasdaq:DDSS), NitroMed, Inc. (Nasdaq:NTMD), Panacos Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:PANC), SciClone Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:SCLN) and Verenium Corporation (Nasdaq:VRNM), 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 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. -- www.nasdaq.com