Use these to boost your biotech exposure

Article Excerpt

Biotechnology companies have been at the forefront of some of the most exciting developments in healthcare over the past two decades—and there are more developments in the pipeline. However, the high cost of product development, long lead times for product testing and regulatory approvals, and low success rates add to their risk. Here are two ETFs that benefit from the opportunities presented by biotech firms despite those challenges. And on page 99, our Supplement looks at the history of biotech, along with the risks and rewards for investors. ISHARES BIOTECHNOLOGY ETF $127.10 (New York symbol IBB; TSINetwork ETF Rating: Aggressive; Market cap: $7.5 billion) aims to track the ICE Biotechnology Index. Companies included in this index are engaged in the research and development of treatments but are not necessarily focused on the mass production of pharmaceutical drugs. Also included are companies that produce tools and systems used in biotechnology processes. Stocks are weighted based on their market values. The main industry allocations are Biotechnology (80%),…