NEW YORK, Dec. 16, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: NDAQ ) today announced the results of the annual re-ranking of the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index (Nasdaq: NBI ), which will become effective prior to market open on Monday, December 23, 2013.
The following 21 securities will be added to the Index: AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ACRX ), Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: AGIO ), BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: BCRX ), bluebird bio, Inc. (Nasdaq: BLUE ), ChemoCentryx, Inc. (Nasdaq: CCXI ), Cempra, Inc. (Nasdaq: CEMP ), Chimerix, Inc. (Nasdaq: CMRX ), Epizyme, Inc. (Nasdaq: EPZM ), Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ESPR ), Horizon Pharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: HZNP ), Cellular Dynamics International, Inc. (Nasdaq: ICEL ), Insys Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: INSY ), KYTHERA Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: KYTH ), OncoMed Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: OMED ), Onconova Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ONTX ), Prothena Corporation plc (Nasdaq: PRTA ), PTC Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: PTCT ), Portola Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: PTLA ), Regulus Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: RGLS ), Sagent Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: SGNT ) and Verastem, Inc. (Nasdaq: VSTM ).
The Index is designed to track the performance of a set of securities listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market® (NASDAQ®) that are classified as either biotechnology or pharmaceutical according to the Industry Classification Benchmark (ICB).
As a result of the re-ranking, the following 16 securities will be removed from the Index: ArQule, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARQL ), AVEO Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: AVEO ), Cytori Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CYTX ), Enzon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ENZN ), Amicus Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: FOLD ), Furiex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: FURX ), GTx, Inc. (Nasdaq: GTXI ), Hyperion Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: HPTX ), Oncothyreon Inc. (Nasdaq: ONTY ), Pain Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: PTIE ), QLT Inc. (Nasdaq: QLTI ), SIGA Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: SIGA ), Santarus, Inc. (Nasdaq: SNTS ), Targacept, Inc. (Nasdaq: TRGT ), Vical Incorporated (Nasdaq: VICL ) and ViroPharma Incorporated (Nasdaq: VPHM ).
The NASDAQ Biotechnology Index is the basis for the iShares NASDAQ Biotechnology Index(SM) Fund (Nasdaq: 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 iShares NASDAQ Biotechnology Index Fund trade on various exchanges.
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NASDAQ OMX (Nasdaq: NDAQ ) is a leading provider of trading, exchange technology, information and public company services across six continents. Through its diverse portfolio of solutions, NASDAQ OMX enables customers to plan, optimize and execute their business vision with confidence, using proven technologies that provide transparency and insight for navigating today's global capital markets. As the creator of the world's first electronic stock market, its technology powers more than 80 marketplaces in 50 countries, and approximately 1 in 10 of the world's securities transactions. NASDAQ OMX is home to more than 3,300 listed companies with a market value of over $7 trillion and more than 10,000 corporate clients. To learn more, visit www.nasdaqomx.com .
The information contained above is provided for informational and educational purposes only, and nothing contained herein should be construed as investment advice, either on behalf of a particular financial product or an overall investment strategy. Neither The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. nor any of its affiliates makes any recommendation to buy or sell any financial product or any representation about the financial condition of any company or fund. Statements regarding NASDAQ's proprietary indexes are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investors should undertake their own due diligence and carefully evaluate companies before investing. ADVICE FROM A SECURITIES PROFESSIONAL IS STRONGLY ADVISED.
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Media Contact: Wayne Lee, NASDAQ OMX +1.301.978.4875 Issuer & Investor Contact: Natasha Selzer, NASDAQ OMX +1.301.978.8623
