[By NBC-1TV H. J Yook]Synergy Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:SGYP), a developer of new drugs to treat gastrointestinal disorders and diseases, today announced that it has been selected for addition to the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index ® (Nasdaq:^NBI), effective prior to the market open on Monday, May 20.

The NASDAQ Biotechnology Index is designed to track the performance of a set of NASDAQ-listed securities classified according to the Industry Classification Benchmark (ICB) as either Biotechnology or Pharmaceuticals. These companies must meet eligibility criteria that include a minimum market capitalization of $200 million and minimum average daily trading volume of 100,000 shares, amongst other requirements. The Index Securities are evaluated semi-annually in May and November and serve as the basis for the iShares NASDAQ Biotechnology Index Fund (Amex:IBB). For more information about the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index, including eligibility criteria, visit www.nasdaq.com.