NEW YORK, Jan. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- QED International Associates, Inc., administrator for the HealthShares(TM) Indexes, a series of 20 underlying indexes for the HealthShares(TM) Exchange-Traded Funds, today announced that effective at the opening of trading on Monday, January 7, 2008 , Maxygen, Inc. (Nasdaq: MAXY) will replace Aspreva Pharmaceutical, Inc. (Nasdaq: ASPV) in the HealthShares(TM) Autoimmune-Inflammation Index. Alpharma, Inc. (NYSE: ALO) will also replace Aspreva Pharmaceutical, Inc. in the HealthShares(TM) Neuroscience Index. Aspreva Pharmaceutical is being acquired by Galencia Group (SWX: GALN).

Companies included in the Autoimmune-Inflammation Index are engaged in the research, clinical development and/or commercialization of therapeutic agents for the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as osteoarthritis and autoimmune disorders including, but not limited to, rheumatoid arthritis, allergies, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis and lupus.

Companies included in the Neuroscience Index are engaged in the research, clinical development and/or commercialization of therapeutic agents for the treatment of a wide variety of neurological and psychiatric disorders including, but not limited to, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's, schizophrenia, anxiety, depression, epilepsy, pain and sleep disorders.

About QED International Associates

QEDI International, based in New York, is a leading financial industry consulting firm specializing in quantitative modeling and the design, development and maintenance of indexes and Exchange Traded Funds. For more information, visit the company's website at www.qedinternational.com.

SOURCE QED International Associates