03:56 PM EST, 12/31/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks were mixed late Tuesday afternoon with the NYSE Health Care Index little changed and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) up 0.1%.

The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) added 0.3%.

In corporate news, TC BioPharm ( TCBP ) shares rose 5.4% after the company said talks with acquisition targets are progressing. The company is looking to expand its therapeutic platform via acquisitions focusing on new indications and cell therapy approaches.

Treace Medical Concepts ( TMCI ) shares jumped 9.2% after Lake Street started coverage of the stock at buy with a $14.50 price target.

Verastem ( VSTM ) shares jumped 42% after the US Food and Drug Administration accepted and granted priority review to a new drug application for its ovarian cancer drug and set an action date of June 30.

Kazia Therapeutics ( KZIA ) shares fell 41% after the company said it was considering options for its drug candidate paxalisib after the US Food and Drug Administration discouraged an accelerated approval process for the potential glioblastoma treatment.