01:54 PM EST, 03/05/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks were rising Wednesday afternoon, with the NYSE Health Care Index and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) each adding 0.6%.

The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) added 1.1%.

In corporate news, Novo Nordisk ( NVO ) said it launched a direct-to-patient delivery option that offers patients all dose strengths of Wegovy at a reduced cost. Novo shares gained 3.4%.

Amgen ( AMGN ) has started two phase 3 trials for its obesity drug MariTide, the company's Head of Research and Development, Jay Bradner, said Wednesday at an investor conference. Amgen ( AMGN ) shares rose 1.4%.

Merck ( MRK ) is facing a patent dispute that threatens its plans to sell a new version of Keytruda, its top-selling cancer drug, the Wall Street Journal reported. Merck ( MRK ) shares were fractionally higher.