09:10 AM EDT, 08/12/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks were flat to higher pre-bell Monday, with the iShares Biotechnology ETF ( IBB ) inactive and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund ( XLV ) up 0.3% recently.

Ascendis Pharma ( ASND ) shares were 10% higher after saying the US Food and Drug Administration has approved Yorvipath, the company's treatment for hypoparathyroidism, a rare endocrine disease, in adults.

Pacira BioSciences ( PCRX ) is considering legal options, including a potential appeal, after a federal judge in New Jersey ruled the US patent supporting its Exparel pain medication is not valid, Chief Executive Frank Lee said. Shares of Pacira BioSciences ( PCRX ) were 0.9% lower premarket.

Revance Therapeutics ( RVNC ) has agreed to be acquired by Crown Laboratories for $924 million, the companies said. Shares of Revance soared more than 85% premarket.