ALSO . . .

* Biotechnology shares might get a needed boost this week as companies including Biogen Inc. and Aurora BioSciences Corp. discuss drug development and growth forecasts at Chase H&Q;’s annual health-care conference starting today in San Francisco. The event, in its 19th year, has become a popular outlet for announcements about sales forecasts, partnerships and other topics.

* French building materials group Lafarge is expected to announce an agreed bid for Britain’s Blue Circle Industries today in a $4.6-billion deal creating the world’s largest cement group, according to Reuters.

* A group of U.S. and Iranian trade experts will offer an overview of initial steps to roll back trade restrictions between the two nations and examine prospects for further commercial ties in a panel discussion Wednesday in Long Beach. Sponsored by the World Trade Center Assn. of Los Angeles-Long Beach and the Iranian Trade Assn., the event is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. at the Long Beach World Trade Center. Call (213) 680-1888 for information.