03:58 PM EDT, 03/17/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks were higher late Monday afternoon, with the NYSE Health Care Index rising 1.6% and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) up 1.3%.

The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) climbed 1.6%.

In corporate news, Vtv Therapeutics ( VTVT ) shares surged 56% after it said Monday that the US Food and Drug Administration has lifted a clinical hold on its cadisegliatin clinical program, which includes a phase 3 trial for type 1 diabetes.

IceCure Medical ( ICCM ) shares jumped 6.3% after it said Monday that it has received a notice of allowance from the China National Intellectual Property Administration for its cryogenic system connector invention.

AstraZeneca ( AZN ) on Monday agreed to buy Belgian biotech company EsoBiotec in a deal worth up to $1 billion as it looks to boost its cell therapies portfolio. AstraZeneca ( AZN ) shares were down 0.3%.

Hyperfine (HYPR) shares soared 34% after the company said Monday it is collaborating with Nvidia (NVDA) to enhance its portable imaging technology.