03:58 PM EDT, 06/03/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks were rising late Tuesday afternoon, with the NYSE Health Care Index up 0.1% and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) adding 0.4%.

The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) climbed 0.9%.

In corporate news, Kiora Pharmaceuticals ( KPRX ) shares soared 36% after the firm granted Senju Pharmaceutical an exclusive option to exercise rights to an exclusive development and commercialization deal for KIO-301 to treat ophthalmic diseases.

Monopar Therapeutics ( MNPR ) shares popped 6%. The company will join the Russell 3000 Index and the Russell 2000 Index after US markets close June 27.

MoonLake Immunotherapeutics ( MLTX ) shares jumped 18% after the Financial Times reported that Merck ( MRK ) has held talks for an over $3 billion acquisition of the Swiss biotech company. Merck ( MRK ) shares rose 0.9%.

ReShape Lifesciences ( RSLS ) shares surged 60% after the company said its quality management system and medical devices portfolio in the EU and the UK were certified under the EU Medical Device Regulation and UK Conformity Assessment.