01:34 PM EDT, 08/13/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks rose Wednesday afternoon, with the NYSE Health Care Index adding 1.4% and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) advancing 1.3%.

The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) climbed 2.1%.

In corporate news, Scilex ( SCLX ) shares jumped 18% after it said the registration statement related to the planned merger of its Semnur Pharmaceuticals subsidiary and special purpose acquisition company Denali Capital Acquisition has been declared effective by the US Securities and Exchange Commission.