03:49 PM EDT, 03/25/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks rose late Wednesday afternoon, with the NYSE Health Care Index adding 1% and the State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) up 0.8%.

The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) climbed 2.3%.

In corporate news, Nanobiotix ( NBTX ) said Wednesday, responding to media speculation, there is no intention of a potential public takeover of the company, and no process or assessment of such a transaction is ongoing. Nanobiotix ( NBTX ) shares were up 4.4%.

Merck ( MRK ) on Wednesday agreed to acquire Terns Pharmaceuticals ( TERN ) in a deal with an equity value of about $6.7 billion to expand its hematology portfolio. Merck ( MRK ) shares rose 2.2%, and Terns jumped 5.7%.

Corcept Therapeutics' ( CORT ) Relacorilant in combination with nab-paclitaxel has been approved to treat adults with platinum-resistant epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer, the US Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday. Corcept shares surged nearly 21%.

ACADIA Pharmaceuticals ( ACAD ) shares rose 5% after BofA Securities upgraded the stock to buy from neutral with a price target of $29 per share.