03:36 PM EST, 01/28/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks declined late Tuesday afternoon with the NYSE Health Care Index and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) both shedding 0.6%.

The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) was up 0.1%.

In corporate news, NRX Pharmaceuticals ( NRXP ) shares jumped 21% after its Hope Therapeutics unit said Tuesday it has entered into a stock purchase agreement with Smith & Sauer for a $27 million financing round to fund the planned purchase of HOPE clinics.