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                                  Certification
            Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, each of the
undersigned officers of H&Q Life Sciences Investors, do hereby certify, to such
officer's knowledge, that:

     The semi-annual report on Form N-CSR of H&Q Life Sciences Investors for the
     period ended March 31, 2004 (the "Form N-CSR") fully complies with the
     requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
     1934, as applicable, and information contained in the Form N-CSR fairly
     presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of
     operations of H&Q Life Sciences Investors.

/s/ Daniel R. Omstead                            /s/ Kimberley L. Carroll
- ---------------------------                      ---------------------------
Daniel R. Omstead                                Kimberley L. Carroll
President                                        Treasurer


A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been
provided to H&Q Life Sciences Investors and will be retained by H&Q Life
Sciences Investors and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or
its staff upon request. This statement accompanies this report on Form N-CSR
pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and shall not be
deemed as filed by H&Q Life Sciences Investors for purposes of the Securities
and Exchange Act of 1934.