IBB vs IBRN: Grades, Fees and Holdings Compared

iShares Biotechnology ETF

IBBANasdaq

iShares Neuroscience and Healthcare ETF

IBRNCNYSE Arca

Overlap

10.1%by weight

Expense ratio

IBB −0.03pt a year

IBB0.44%IBRN0.47%

Avg volume · 30D

IBB 615.4×the volume

IBB1.65MIBRN2.68K

3Y return · a year

IBB +4.1pt

IBB+24.5%IBRN+20.4%

IBB vs IBRN Performance

Oct 31, 2025 – Oct 30, 2026

+36.8%IBB+11.2%IBRN

Expense ratio: IBB 0.44%, better; IBRN 0.47%
Fund size: IBB $11.5B; IBRN $7M
1Y total return: IBB +36.8%, better; IBRN +11.2%
Yield (12M): IBB 0.16%; IBRN 0.96%, better
Holdings: IBB 243; IBRN 71
Avg volume (30D): IBB 1.65M sh, better; IBRN 2.68K sh
NAV per share: IBB $217.59; IBRN $32.81
52W range

ETF.net Grade

Pillar letters and Scores for IBB, IBRN, with each pillar’s weight
Pillar	IBB	IBRN
Cost30% weight	B69Higher	B56
Mission25% weight	A83	Not scored
Risk15% weight	B69Higher	D28
Tradability15% weight	A95Higher	D25
Holdings10% weight	C45	B65Higher
Durability5% weight	A89Higher	D31

Rank among Biotech & Genomics funds

How we build Categories ›

Same Category. IBB and IBRN are both graded against the same 17 Biotech & Genomics funds, so their Grades compare head to head.

Biotech & Genomics⁠

Category · 17 funds

See all 17 ›

IBB ranks 3rd and IBRN 10th of 17 funds in the Biotech & Genomics Category.

Rank 1AXBIState Street SPDR S&P Biotech ETFScore 80
Rank 2AIBBQInvesco Nasdaq Biotechnology ETFScore 77
Rank 3AIBBiShares Biotechnology ETFScore 75
Rank 4ABBPVirtus Biotech ETFScore 74
Rank 9CSBIOALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETFScore 44
Rank 10CIBRNiShares Neuroscience and Healthcare ETFScore 43
Rank 11CGNMXCorgi Genomics & Precision Medicine ETFScore 40

Our read on each fund

ETF.net Research

IBBAiShares Biotechnology ETF

IBRNCiShares Neuroscience and Healthcare ETF

In short

IBB Biotech's original index fund. Since 2001 IBB has packed the whole US biotech sector, roughly 250 names, into one line item for 0.44% a year, below what the typical biotech fund charges.

IBRN A healthcare fund with one obsession: the brain. IBRN tracks a global index of roughly 70 drugmakers and device companies working on neurological disease, a slice most sector funds bury inside hundreds of names.

Stated mandate

IBB The Fund seeks to track an index composed of U.S.-listed equities focused on the biotechnology sector.

IBRN The fund seeks to track an index of global companies advancing research and treatment of neurological disorders, providing focused exposure to healthcare innovation related to brain health.

Why people hold it

IBB A 2001 launch makes it one of the sector's originals, and it has grown into a multi-billion-dollar fund that trades actively.
Roughly 250 stocks, so the whole US biotech bench comes along instead of a few marquee drugmakers.
0.44% a year, set by the prospectus and below the median fee in its biotech peer group.
Sticks closely to the job in its prospectus: US-listed biotech equities, nothing exotic bolted on. That lands it in the upper half of its peer group.ishares.com

IBRN A rare single-theme cut of healthcare: brain-disease biopharma and medical devices held together, sourced globally rather than US-only.ishares.com
At 0.47%, it undercuts the median expense ratio of its broad healthcare peer group, unusual for a narrow theme fund.
Rules-based, not a stock picker: it follows a published NYSE FactSet neuro index, so the exposure you own is defined in advance.ishares.com

Worth knowing

IBB Cheaper seats exist in the same aisle: IBBQ at 0.19%, BBP at 0.34%, XBI at 0.35%.
One industry carries the whole fund. Trial readouts, FDA decisions and patent expiries drive it, with no other sector to cushion a rough patch.
Distributions arrive quarterly, but biotech is a growth sector and payouts are a side effect, not the point.

IBRN Small asset base and thin trading. Spreads can run wider than on the sector's heavyweights, and that cost lands on the buyer.
0.47% is several times what plain broad healthcare index funds like VHT and XLV charge. The theme is what you're paying for.
Roughly 70 names in one research niche, live since 2022. Trial results at a few companies can swing it more than a whole-sector fund.

Full IBB profile⁠

Full IBRN profile⁠

IBB vs IBRN Holdings

How IBB and IBRN differ

Overlap by weight

10.1%

Shared holdings make up 60.7% of IBRN and 10.2% of IBB.

Level by level

Holdings28 in both10.1%
Countryby domicile78.9%
Asset classEquity100%

Sector

No Sector split for IBRN.

Country, concentration and asset class

Country by domicile

Country weights in IBB and IBRN, widest gap first
Country	More in IBBMore in IBRN	IBB	IBRN
United States	IBB +18.5 points	94.3%	75.8%
Belgium	IBRN +4.1 points	0.0%	4.1%
South Korea	IBRN +3.4 points	0.0%	3.4%
Sweden	IBRN +3.2 points	0.0%	3.2%
Japan	IBRN +2.3 points	0.0%	2.3%
Australia	IBRN +2.2 points	0.1%	2.3%
Switzerland	IBRN +1.9 points	0.3%	2.2%
United Kingdom	IBB +1.5 points	1.5%	0.0%
Other countries (9)	IBRN +3.0 points	3.8%	6.8%

Outside the US: IBRN 75% developed, 25% emerging.

Concentration

Weight in the 10 largest Holdings

IBB51.4%
IBRN43.2%

Securities held

IBB241
IBRN68

Asset class

IBB: Equity
IBRN: Equity

Holdings

Only in IBB213
In both28
Only in IBRN40

Only in IBB

213 securities, 89.9% of IBB by weight

Gilead Sciences8.94%
Amgen Inc8.31%
Vertex Pharmaceuticals7.87%
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals6.24%
Moderna5.49%
Natera3.78%
Revolution Medicines2.50%
Illumina Inc2.41%
Genmab Sponsored Adr2.14%
Beone Medicines AG2.11%
United Therapeutics1.68%
Insmed1.64%
Incyte Corp1.64%
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals1.49%
Roivant Sciences Ltd1.31%
Charles River Laboratories Interna1.15%
Exelixis Inc1.13%
Ascendis Pharma1.05%
Halozyme Therapeutics1.00%
Medpace Holdings0.99%
Bridgebio Pharma0.89%
Bio Techne0.77%
Biomarin Pharmaceutical0.76%
Repligen0.72%
Twist Bioscience0.66%
Kymera Therapeutics0.64%
Madrigal Pharmaceuticals0.63%
Vaxcyte0.61%
Protagonist Therapeutics0.60%
Krystal Biotech0.58%
Biontech SE Adr0.57%
Cytokinetics0.57%
10X Genomics Class A0.55%
Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals0.54%
Tempus Ai Class A0.53%
Spyre Therapeutics Inc0.52%
Ionis Pharmaceuticals0.48%
Axsome Therapeutics0.43%
Bruker0.43%
Abivax American Depositary Shares0.43%
Rhythm Pharmaceuticals0.41%
Grail Inc0.41%
Kodiak Sciences0.39%
Oruka Therapeutics0.39%
Cogent Biosciences0.33%
Definium Therapeutics Inc0.32%
Travere Therapeutics0.31%
Crispr Therapeutics AG0.31%
Mirum Pharmaceuticals0.31%
Caris Life Sciences0.30%

Only in IBRN

40 securities, 39.9% of IBRN by weight

Axogen3.97%
Dianthus Therapeutics3.70%
Sk Biopharmaceuticals Ltd3.52%
H. Lundbeck Class B3.34%
Neuren Pharmaceuticals2.42%
Bioarctic Class B2.12%
Oncolys Biopharma Inc1.90%
Lb Pharmaceuticals Inc1.61%
Idorsia N Ltd1.57%
Rubicon Research1.33%
Integra Lifesciences Holdings1.22%
Dynavox Group1.15%
Medincell SA1.07%
Ceribell1.04%
Apnimed Inc0.99%
Ovid Therapeutics0.71%
Supernus Pharmaceuticals0.68%
Brainsway Adr Representing Ltd0.65%
Bright Minds Biosciences0.65%
Metis Techbio Class H0.55%
Sanbio Ltd0.54%
Neuropace0.53%
Zylox-Tonbridge Medical Tech H0.52%
Capricor Therapeutics0.50%
Benitec Biopharma Inc0.47%
Clearpoint Neuro Inc0.47%
Santhera N AG0.38%
Abeona Therapeutics Inc0.36%
Microport Neurotech Corp0.35%
Newron Pharmaceuticals0.31%
CAMP4 Therapeutics Corp0.23%
Mobia Medical Inc0.22%
Alector0.20%
Nervgen Pharma Corp0.17%
Minerva Neurosciences Inc0.15%
Cognition Therapeutics Inc0.11%
Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding0.09%
Maplight Therapeutics0.09%
Acumen Pharmaceuticals Inc0.02%
Inr/Usd<0.01%

Weight gaps

All 28 Holdings in both funds, largest gap first.

Holding weights in IBB and IBRN, widest gap first
Holding	More in IBBMore in IBRN	IBB	IBRN
AlkermesALKS	IBRN +4.28 points	0.50%	4.78%
Edgewise TherapeuticsEWTX	IBRN +4.17 points	0.22%	4.39%
Ptc TherapeuticsPTCT	IBRN +3.90 points	0.32%	4.22%
Neurocrine BiosciencesNBIX	IBRN +3.57 points	1.00%	4.57%
Scholar Rock HoldingSRRK	IBRN +3.56 points	0.30%	3.86%
Praxis Precision MedicinesPRAX	IBRN +3.44 points	0.51%	3.95%
Acadia PharmaceuticalsACAD	IBRN +3.34 points	0.24%	3.58%
Dyne TherapeuticsDYN	IBRN +3.17 points	0.17%	3.34%
BiogenBIIB	IBRN +3.06 points	2.52%	5.58%
BiohavenBHVN	IBRN +2.91 points	0.13%	3.04%
Xenon PharmaceuticalsXENE	IBRN +2.82 points	0.23%	3.05%
Sarepta TherapeuticsSRPT	IBRN +2.76 points	0.13%	2.89%
Taysha Gene TherapiesTSHA	IBRN +1.62 points	0.07%	1.69%
Alto NeuroscienceANRO	IBRN +1.19 points	0.05%	1.24%
Rapport TherapeuticsRAPP	IBRN +1.07 points	0.05%	1.12%
AnnexonANNX	IBRN +1.00 points	0.04%	1.04%
Argenx SE AdrARGX	IBRN +0.85 points	3.36%	4.21%
Solid Biosciences IncSLDB	IBRN +0.79 points	0.04%	0.83%
NeurogeneNGNE	IBRN +0.65 points	0.03%	0.68%
Design TherapeuticsDSGN	IBRN +0.54 points	0.03%	0.57%
Prothena PLCPRTA	IBRN +0.50 points	0.03%	0.53%
Kyverna TherapeuticsKYTX	IBRN +0.34 points	0.01%	0.35%
Vanda Pharmaceuticals IncVNDA	IBRN +0.34 points	0.01%	0.35%
PepgenPEPG	IBRN +0.23 points	0.01%	0.24%
Larimar TherapeuticsLRMR	IBRN +0.12 points	<0.01%	0.13%
Entrada TherapeuticsTRDA	IBRN +0.11 points	<0.01%	0.12%
Anavex Life Sciences CorpAVXL	IBRN +0.09 points	<0.01%	0.10%
Voyager TherapeuticsVYGR	IBRN +0.08 points	<0.01%	0.09%

All 243 IBB holdings⁠All 68 IBRN holdings⁠

How we measure overlap

Each holding counts at its smaller weight in the two funds, summed over the full Holdings. Sector, country and asset class use the same rule on each fund’s split. Cash, FX and derivative lines stay out of the counts. Two bond funds get no overlap figure.

IBB vs IBRN Cost

Overpaying IBRN vs IBB

$566

On $10,000 over 30 years. 7% growth a year before fees, expense ratio only.

IBB 0.44%
$8,852
IBRN 0.47%
$9,418

Amount$10,000

Years30 years

Cost over time

IBB 0.44%
IBRN 0.47%
Overpaying

Year by year

Year	IBB	IBRN	Overpaying
10	$794	$847	$53
20	$3,061	$3,261	$200
30	$8,852	$9,418	$566

Expense ratio

0.44%IBB, cheaper
0.47%IBRN

IBB0.44%IBRN0.47%

0.19%0.75%

Middle half of Biotech & Genomics funds
Median 0.47%

IBB 6th cheapest of 17 funds

IBRN 8th cheapest of 17 funds

IBB vs IBRN Dividends

Last 12 months to Oct 30, 2026

Yield (12M): IBB 0.16%; IBRN 0.96%, better
Payout (12M): IBB $0.34; IBRN $0.32
Last payment: IBB $0.01; IBRN $0.32
Ex-dividend: IBB Sep 15, 2026; IBRN Dec 16, 2025
Paid on: IBB Sep 18, 2026; IBRN Dec 19, 2025
Frequency: IBB Quarterly; IBRN Annual

Distribution history

Per share, 2017 to 2026, same scale for both

IBBQuarterly · 36 paymentsAll IBB payments⁠

IBRNAnnual · 4 paymentsAll IBRN payments⁠

IBB vs IBRN Risk

Fall from peak · 5 years

This chart needs five years of history for both funds.

Risk facts

VolatilityStd dev, 3 years: IBB 17.9%, betterIBRN 23.6%
Return per unit of riskSharpe ratio, 3 years: IBB 1.07, betterIBRN 0.71
Worst fallMax drawdown, 5 years: IBB −35.7%IBRN −35.4%since Aug 2022
Market sensitivityBeta, 5 years: IBB 0.70IBRN 0.87; Market = 1

IBB and IBRN in the news

All news⁠

Deep Dive
Moderna fell 18% on cancer-vaccine data, and genomics ETFs fell 4%
Oct 23, 2026IBB
News
AstraZeneca agrees to invest $2 billion in Summit, without the drug rights
Sep 28, 2026IBB
Deep Dive
Health care's 1.8% week was four large caps, not a biotech rally
Sep 19, 2026IBB
Deep Dive
Health care ETFs spent 2026 between a 28% biotech rally and a 16% device slide
Sep 14, 2026IBB

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IBB vs IBRN

In short

Stated mandate

Why people hold it