CAMBRIDGE, Mass. and JUPITER, Fla., March 20, 2006 – Bio Economic Research Associates, or bio-era™ (www.bio-era.net), a leading independent research and advisory firm providing analysis on the future of the global bio-economy, and Weiss Ratings, Inc., (www.WeissRatings.com), a leading independent equity research firm, today announced an alliance to provide investors with authoritative independent research on substantive issues at the intersection of biology and the economy. Issues to be addressed will include the economic and business threats and opportunities posed by new emerging diseases, new biotechnologies, and new bio-based forms of energy, including biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel. The alliance combines bio-era's in-depth expertise and research at the intersection of biology and economics with the Weiss team's proven ability to deliver superior service to the institutional and retail investment communities.

"This alliance matches up the strengths of the bio-era and Weiss Ratings teams to provide insight into investment opportunities at the fascinating intersection of biology and the economy," said Stephen Aldrich, president, bio-era. "Bio-era is well-recognized as a leading provider of independent fundamental research on issues like avian influenza, biofuels, and emerging biotech, and our fundamental approach complements Weiss Ratings' microeconomic, quantitative approach to investment and risk analyses."

"Bio-era's partnership with Weiss Ratings allows us to expand our research offering to the Wall Street community. We will now be able to provide investors with the comprehensive, quality insight they need to better identify the winners and losers in the emerging bio economy," commented Bruce Fador, president and chief executive officer of Weiss Ratings. "We are very fortunate to have struck this alliance and are looking forward to working closely with bio-era's team and expanding network of experts."

About Bio-era

Bio Economic Research Associates (bio-era™ ) is a leading provider of independent research and advisory services on the economic and societal impacts of human-induced change to biological systems. Bio-era provides independent and objective strategic insight, perspective, and knowledge to help decision-makers understand the strategic and financial implications, how interests in bio-resource value-chains will be affected, and how stakeholders can adapt and respond.

About Weiss Ratings

Weiss Ratings, Inc., headquartered in Jupiter, Fla. with offices in New York and Boston, is the nation's leading independent provider of ratings and analyses of financial institutions, mutual funds, and stocks. Weiss issues investment ratings on more than 6,000 stocks and 12,000 mutual funds, covering both equity and fixed-income funds, while providing financial risk ratings on more than 15,000 banks and insurance companies. It is the only major rating agency that receives no direct or indirect compensation from the companies it rates.

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