09:14 AM EDT, 04/11/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks were steady pre-bell Thursday as the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) and iShares Biotechnology ETF ( IBB ) were inactive recently.

Alpine Immune Sciences ( ALPN ) was rallying near 37% after Vertex Pharmaceuticals ( VRTX ) agreed to acquire the company for $4.9 billion in cash, or $65 a share.

STERIS ( STE ) was up more than 0.9% after saying it signed a deal to sell its dental business to Peak Rock Capital for $787.5 million in an equity transaction.

The US Department of Justice filed a complaint against Regeneron Pharmaceuticals ( REGN ) alleging that the company fraudulently manipulated Medicare reimbursement for its drug Eylea. Regeneron Pharmaceuticals ( REGN ) was 0.7% lower in recent premarket activity.