08:50 AM EST, 01/07/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks were steady pre-bell Wednesday, with the iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) inactive and the State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) marginally advancing.

Eli Lilly ( LLY ) is in advanced talks to acquire Ventyx Biosciences ( VTYX ) for more than $1 billion, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing sources familiar with the matter. Shares of Ventyx Biosciences ( VTYX ) were up more than 57% premarket.