03:59 PM EST, 01/23/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks were higher late Thursday afternoon, with the NYSE Health Care Index and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) each adding 1.2%.

The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) climbed 1.5%.

In corporate news, Vigil Neuroscience ( VIGL ) shares surged past 15% following positive results from a phase 1 trial of VG-3927, a potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease, supporting its advancement to a mid-stage trial.

Johnson & Johnson ( JNJ ) is likely to achieve its 2025 guidance despite challenges after the drugmaker's Q4 results exceeded estimates, RBC Capital Markets said in a note emailed Thursday. RBC reiterated its outperform rating on the stock and its $181 price target. Johnson & Johnson ( JNJ ) shares added 0.9%.

Elevance Health ( ELV ) reported better-than-expected Q4 results on Thursday, with the health insurer anticipating year-over-year growth for its 2025 earnings and revenue. Its shares gained 2.5%.

Sellas Life Sciences ( SLS ) shares fell 14% after the company announced an independent committee's interim analysis of a phase 3 trial of galinpepimut-S for acute myeloid leukemia.