09:18 AM EDT, 08/22/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks were flat to higher premarket Thursday with the iShares Biotechnology ETF ( IBB ) inactive and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund ( XLV ) up 0.3% recently.

Rafael Holdings ( RFL ) has agreed to merge with Cyclo Therapeutics ( CYTH ) , the companies said. Shares of Cyclo Therapeutics ( CYTH ) were down nearly 20% pre-bell.

Biogen (BIIB) and Japan's Eisai said their humanized amyloid-beta monoclonal antibody, lecanemab, received marketing authorization from the UK's regulatory authority. Biogen shares were 0.7% higher premarket.

Virax Biolabs Group ( VRAX ) shares were down more than 5% amid a deal for the sale and issuance of about 1.1 million of its common shares at $4.50 per share through a registered direct offering.