Biotechnology stocks took a breather on Tuesday after thefeeding frenzy following Synergen Inc.'s (NASDAQ:SYGN)announcement of disappointing preliminary Phase III resultsfor its lead compound, Antril.

The indexes and some of the hardest-hit stocks even stagedmodest comebacks. The AMEX Biotechnology Stock Indexgained 1.16 points to 114.57 and the Chicago Board OptionsExchange Biotechnology Index picked up 2.01 points, closing at104.38. Synergen gained $1.25 a share, to $14.75; Amgen Inc.(AMGN) was up $2 a share, to $43.50; Chiron Corp. (CHIR)regained $1.63 a share, to $47.25; and Idexx Laboratories Corp.(IDXX) was up $2 a share, to $29.25.

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