The AMEX Biotechnology Index jumped 9.4 points to 168.53 onThursday as the sector enjoyed broad-based gains for the firsttime since late February. The almost 6 percent uptick was thelargest daily percentage gain for the index this year.

Fifteen bioscience companies tracked by BioWorld posted pricehikes of at least $2. Units of Gensia Pharmaceuticals Inc.(NASDAQ:GNSA) gained $5.13 to $38.25, while its Aramed Inc.R&D spinoff (NASDAQ:ARAMZ) climbed $5.25 to $40.25. Thecompany said it had no explanation for the trading. Elan plc(AMEX:ELN) was up $4 to $42.38 after Merrill Lynch raised itsrating on the company.

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