01:30 PM EST, 01/02/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks were edging down Thursday afternoon, with the NYSE Health Care Index fractionally lower and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) easing 0.2%.

The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) rose 0.4%.

In corporate news, NRX Pharmaceuticals ( NRXP ) shares surged 43% after its Hope Therapeutics unit said Thursday that it plans to acquire the Kadima Neuropsychiatry Institute.