03:32 PM EST, 02/19/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks were higher late Wednesday afternoon, with the NYSE Health Care Index rising 0.8% and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) adding 1%.

The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) rose 0.9%.

In corporate news, ImmunityBio ( IBRX ) shares jumped 17% after saying Wednesday it received US Food and Drug Administration authorization for an expanded access program to provide recombinant Bacillus Calmette-Guerin, addressing the nationwide shortage of TICE BCG for bladder cancer treatment.