03:42 PM EST, 03/05/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks were higher late Wednesday afternoon, with the NYSE Health Care Index rising 1.2% and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) adding 1.1%.

The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) climbed 1.8%.

In corporate news, Pfizer ( PFE ) and its partner BioNTech (BNTX) have infringed a COVID-19 vaccine patent owned by Moderna ( MRNA ) , Reuters reported, citing a German court ruling. The court ordered Pfizer ( PFE ) and BioNTech to disclose earnings related to the patent's use and pay a compensation to Moderna ( MRNA ), the report added. Moderna ( MRNA ) shares jumped past 15%, Pfizer ( PFE ) was up 0.4% and BioNTech rose 4.35%.