Exhibit 99.1

JOINT FILING AGREEMENT

In accordance with Rule 13d-1(k)(1)(iii) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the persons named below agree to the joint filing on behalf of each of them of a Statement on Schedule 13D dated January 3, 2011 (including amendments thereto) with respect to the securities of H&Q Life Sciences Investors.  This Joint Filing Agreement shall be filed as an Exhibit to such Statement.

Dated: January 3, 2011	WESTERN INVESTMENT LLC
	By:	/s/ Arthur D. Lipson
		Name:	Arthur D. Lipson
		Title:	Managing Member

WESTERN INVESTMENT HEDGED PARTNERS L.P.
By:	Western Investment LLC
	General Partner
By:	/s/ Arthur D. Lipson
	Name:	Arthur D. Lipson
	Title:	Managing Member

WESTERN INVESTMENT ACTIVISM PARTNERS LLC
By:	Western Investment LLC
	Managing Member
By:	/s/ Arthur D. Lipson
	Name:	Arthur D. Lipson
	Title:	Managing Member

WESTERN INVESTMENT TOTAL RETURN PARTNERS L.P.
By:	Western Investment LLC
	General Partner
By:	/s/ Arthur D. Lipson
	Name:	Arthur D. Lipson
	Title:	Managing Member

WESTERN INVESTMENT TOTAL RETURN FUND LTD.
By:	Western Investment LLC
	Investment Manager
By:	/s/ Arthur D. Lipson
	Name:	Arthur D. Lipson
	Title:	Managing Member

/s/ Arthur D. Lipson

ARTHUR D. LIPSON

BENCHMARK PLUS PARTNERS, L.L.C.
By:	Benchmark Plus Management, L.L.C.
	Managing Member
By:	/s/ Robert Ferguson
	Name:	Robert Ferguson
	Title:	Managing Member
By:	/s/ Scott Franzblau
	Name:	Scott Franzblau
	Title:	Managing Member

BENCHMARK PLUS INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERS, L.L.C.
By:	Benchmark Plus Management, L.L.C.
	Managing Member
By:	/s/ Robert Ferguson
	Name:	Robert Ferguson
	Title:	Managing Member
By:	/s/ Scott Franzblau
	Name:	Scott Franzblau
	Title:	Managing Member

BENCHMARK PLUS MANAGEMENT, L.L.C.
By:	/s/ Robert Ferguson
	Name:	Robert Ferguson
	Title:	Managing Member
By:	/s/ Scott Franzblau
	Name:	Scott Franzblau
	Title:	Managing Member

/s/ Robert Ferguson

ROBERT FERGUSON

/s/ Scott Franzblau

SCOTT FRANZBLAU