JOHN HANCOCK FUNDS INTRODUCES BIOTECHNOLOGY FUND
BOSTON, March 1, 2001ćJohn Hancock Funds announced today that it has
introduced the John Hancock Biotechnology Fund, which invests in U.S. and
foreign securities of companies of any size engaged in the research,
development and manufacture of biotechnological products and services. The
fund will close to new investors when assets reach $250 million.
"The Human Genome Project is just one example of the progress scientists are
making in research and technology," said Linda Miller, lead portfolio manager
for the new fund. Ms. Miller also manages the $449 million John Hancock
Health Sciences Fund, which invests a portion of its assets in biotechnology.
"Scientists¼ expanding knowledge, along with a seemingly infinite number of
potential applications for that knowledge, provide fertile soil for growing
biotech companies. In managing the new fund, our goal is to pick the best
companies in the crop," she added.
A rare feature of medical science mutual funds, an independent advisory board
composed of industry experts provides advice and consultation to the
management team on health care and biotechnological developments. "Their
hands-on perspective augments our research capabilities," said Ms. Miller.
Ms. Miller brings more than 15 years of experience as a biotechnology
research analyst and health sciences portfolio manager to the fund. She was
selected to Institutional Investor¼s "All-American Research Team" in the
field of biotechnology for seven consecutive years between 1986 and 1992, and
was recognized in The Wall Street Journal¼s "All-Star Analyst" survey in
1993.
The John Hancock Biotechnology Fund may invest a portion of its portfolio in
certain higher-risk securities, including venture capital or restricted
securities. A non-diversified fund, it may invest more than 5 percent of its
assets in securities of individual companies.
The John Hancock Biotechnology Fund offers Class A shares with a maximum
front-end sales charge of 5 percent, Class B shares with a maximum deferred
sales charge of 5 percent, and Class C shares with a maximum front-end sales
charge of 1 percent and a maximum deferred sales charge of 1 percent. The
minimum initial investment is $1,000 for regular accounts or $250 for
retirement accounts. The John Hancock Biotechnology Fund is part of the John
Hancock family of more than 30 open-end mutual funds.
John Hancock Funds, a global investment management firm, manages more than
$30 billion in open-end funds, closed-end funds, private accounts, variable
annuities and retirement plans for individual and institutional investors.
John Hancock Funds is a wholly owned subsidiary of John Hancock Financial
Services, Inc. (NYSE: JHF). John Hancock and its affiliated companies
provide a broad array of insurance and investment products and services to
retail and institutional customers. As of December 31, 2000, John Hancock
Financial Services and its subsidiaries had total assets under management of
$125.2 billion.
For more complete information on any John Hancock fund, including charges and
expenses, please call 1-800-225-5291 for a prospectus. Please read it
carefully before you invest or send money.
Investments concentrated in one sector may fluctuate more widely than
investments diversified across sectors. In addition, focused funds may be
more volatile than diversified funds that hold a larger number of securities,
and the impact of poor stock selection may increase. Foreign investments
carry additional risks, including currency fluctuations, differences in
accounting standards and political instability. Stocks of small and medium
size companies are more volatile than stocks of larger companies. The fund
may not be appropriate for all investors.
John Hancock Funds, Inc., 101 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02199, Member
NASD.
