03:56 PM EDT, 09/17/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks were edging up late Wednesday afternoon, with the NYSE Health Care Index up 0.2% and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) adding 0.1%.

The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) increased 0.2%.

In corporate news, AbbVie ( ABBV ) shares rose 1.7% after Berenberg upgraded the stock to buy from hold and lifted its price target to $270 from $170.

GSK (GSK), Eli Lilly ( LLY ) , Johnson & Johnson ( JNJ ) and AstraZeneca ( AZN ) are among pharmaceutical companies that have pledged to invest more than $350 billion in the US amid the Trump administration's tariff threats, The Wall Street Journal reported. GSK rose 0.6%, Johnson & Johnson ( JNJ ) added 0.2%, AstraZeneca ( AZN ) was flat, and Eli Lilly ( LLY ) was down 0.3%.

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals ( REGN ) shares gained 1.8%. The company said updated Phase 2 trial results suggested that combining its experimental antibodies -- trevogrumab or garetosmab -- with semaglutide may help treat obesity more effectively by limiting muscle loss during weight reduction.

Vivani Medical ( VANI ) stock jumped 19%. Gregg Williams, 10% owner and director, bought about 2.07 million company shares.