04:03 PM EDT, 09/18/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks rose late Thursday afternoon, with the NYSE Health Care Index adding 0.3% and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) up 0.2%.

The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) climbed 1.9%.

In corporate news, Amicus Therapeutics ( FOLD ) shares jumped past 6% after Needham upgraded the stock to buy from hold, with a price target of $14.

Novo Nordisk ( NVO ) said overnight that data from a phase 3 trial of once-daily oral semaglutide 25-milligram pill showed an average weight loss of 16.6% in participants who adhered to the treatment, compared with 2.7% for placebo. Separately, Novo said its injectable Ozempic was linked to a 23% lower risk of heart attack, stroke, and death compared with dulaglutide in US Medicare patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Novo shares popped over 6%.

89bio (ETNB) shares soared 85% after the company said it has agreed to be acquired by Roche for $2.4 billion, or $14.50 a share, about 79% above its closing price Wednesday.

Nektar Therapeutics ( NKTR ) rose over 14% after it said data from a phase 2b trial of rezpegaldesleukin for atopic dermatitis showed "statistical significance" on its primary endpoint.