03:47 PM EDT, 10/15/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks increased late Wednesday afternoon with the NYSE Health Care Index and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) each adding 0.3%.

The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) climbed 1.6%.

In corporate news, Omeros ( OMER ) shares more than doubled after the company signed an asset purchase and license deal for its zaltenibart drug, under development to treat rare blood and kidney disorders, with Novo Nordisk ( NVO ) for up to $2.1 billion.

Johnson & Johnson's ( JNJ ) decision to spin off its orthopedics business into a standalone company called DePuy Synthes came as a surprise but should boost the company's growth in the longer term, Morgan Stanley said in a note. Morgan Stanley lifted its price target on Johnson & Johnson ( JNJ ) to $190 from $178 while maintaining its equal-weight rating. Johnson & Johnson ( JNJ ) shares added 0.3%.

Abbott Laboratories ( ABT ) shares fell 2.5% after it reported Q3 net sales of $11.37 billion, up from $10.64 billion a year ago but below the FactSet consensus of $11.39 billion.

Pfizer ( PFE ) Chief Executive Albert Bourla said vaccine approvals are "harder to get" in the US amid changes to the country's immunization policies, Bloomberg reported Wednesday, citing comments at a CNBC event in Washington. Pfizer ( PFE ) shares were down 0.7%.