09:10 AM EDT, 08/18/2025 (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%.

Novo Nordisk ( NVO ) shares were up nearly 5% after the company said the US Food and Drug Administration approved a new indication for semaglutide to treat adults with metabolic-dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis with moderate to advanced liver fibrosis, without cirrhosis.

Ascentage Pharma ( AAPG ) stock was nearly 3% higher after the company said it has received clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency to conduct a phase 3 study of its drug lisaftoclax in combination with azacitidine for the treatment of patients with newly diagnosed higher-risk myelodysplastic syndrome.

Tonix Pharmaceuticals ( TNXP ) shares were up more than 4% after the company said the US Food and Drug Administration approved Tonmya for the treatment for fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition, in adults.