01:54 PM EDT, 09/24/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks were lower Wednesday afternoon, with the NYSE Health Care Index shedding 0.2% and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) decreasing 0.3%.

The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) was shedding 0.5%.

In corporate news, Alcon's ( ALC ) move to acquire STAAR Surgical ( STAA ) in a $1.5 billion deal is being opposed by Broadwood Partners, which holds approximately 27.5% stake in STAAR, according to a Wednesday filing. Alcon ( ALC ) shares were down 0.2%, and STAAR rose 0.4%.

Sanofi ( SNY ) and its Winthrop Industrie unit were ordered by a Paris appeals court to pay a fine of 150.7 million euros ($177 million) in damages to France's National Health Insurance Fund for engaging in anti-competitive practices linked to its Plavix anti-clotting medicine, media outlets reported. Sanofi ( SNY ) shares were down 0.9%.

Incyte ( INCY ) is expected to provide solid data when it reports updates on its '989 CALR antibody, although commercial and development challenges are likely to dampen enthusiasm around the program, RBC Capital Markets said in a note. Incyte ( INCY ) shares were shedding 0.3%.