MIAMI, Dec. 19, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OPKO Health, Inc. (NASDAQ: OPK ) announces that it has been selected for addition to the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index (NASDAQ: NBI ) effective as of the opening of trading on Monday, December 19, 2016.
The NASDAQ Biotechnology Index is designed to track the performance of a set of NASDAQ-listed securities that are classified as either biotechnology or pharmaceutical according to the Industry Classification Benchmark. These companies must meet eligibility requirements, including minimum market capitalization and average daily trading volume, among other criteria.
The NASDAQ Biotechnology Index is re-ranked annually and is the basis for the iShares NASDAQ Biotechnology Index Fund, 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. For more information about the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index visit www.nasdaq.com .
"We are pleased to meet the criteria for inclusion in an influential biotechnology index such as the NBI," said Phillip Frost, M.D., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of OPKO Health. "This addition is another milestone for OPKO as we continue to build an industry-leading, diversified healthcare company."
About OPKO Health, Inc. OPKO Health is a diversified healthcare company that seeks to establish industry-leading positions in large, rapidly growing markets. Our diagnostics business includes Bio-Reference Laboratories, the nation's third-largest clinical laboratory with a core genetic testing business and a 420-person sales force to drive growth and leverage new products, including the 4Kscore® prostate cancer test and the Claros® 1 in-office immunoassay platform. Our pharmaceutical business features RAYALDEE, an FDA-approved treatment for SHPT in stage 3-4 CKD patients with vitamin D insufficiency, VARUBI™ for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (oral formulation launched by partner TESARO and IV formulation PDUFA date: January 2017), TT401, a once or twice weekly oxyntomodulin for type 2 diabetes and obesity which is a clinically advanced drug candidate among the new class of GLP-1 glucagon receptor dual agonists, and TT701, an androgen receptor modulator for androgen deficiency indications. Our biologics business includes hGH-CTP, a once-weekly human growth hormone injection (in phase 3 and partnered with Pfizer), a long-acting Factor VIIa drug for hemophilia (in phase 2a) and a long-acting oxyntomodulin for diabetes and obesity (in phase 1). We also have production and distribution assets worldwide, multiple strategic investments and an active business development strategy. More information is available at www.opko.com .
This press release contains "forward-looking statements," as that term is defined under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA), regarding product commercialization efforts and other non-historical facts about our expectations, beliefs or intentions regarding our business, technologies and products, financial condition, strategies or prospects, including statements regarding the anticipated launch and availability of RAYALDEE, that RAYALDEE will effectively control secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with stage 3 or 4 chronic kidney disease, whether RAYALDEE will be safe and effective in controlling SHPT, and the market potential for RAYALDEE. Many factors could cause our actual activities or results to differ materially from the activities and results anticipated in forward-looking statements. These factors include those described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, particularly any factors that could affect the availability or commercial potential of RAYALDEE, as well as risks inherent in funding, developing and obtaining regulatory approvals of new, commercially-viable and competitive products and treatments, including the risks that others may develop products which are superior to RAYALDEE, and that RAYALDEE may not have advantages or prove to be superior over presently marketed products, including the currently used high monthly doses of prescription vitamin D2, activated vitamin D hormone and over-the-counter vitamin D supplements. In addition, forward-looking statements may also be adversely affected by general market factors, competitive product development, product availability, federal and state regulations and legislation, the regulatory process for new products and indications, manufacturing issues that may arise, patent positions and litigation, among other factors. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date the statements were made and we do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements. We intend that all forward-looking statements be subject to the safe-harbor provisions of the PSLRA.
OPKO Health: Tara Mackay, 305-575-4100 Investor Relations
Media: Rooney & Associates Terry Rooney, 212-223-0689 trooney@rooneyco.com or Marion Janic, 212-223-4017 mjanic@rooneyco.com
Investors: LHA Anne Marie Fields, 212-838-3777 afields@lhai.com or Bruce Voss, 310-691-7100 bvoss@lhai.com
