02:07 PM EDT, 04/30/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks were higher Wednesday afternoon, with the NYSE Health Care Index up 0.5% and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) adding 0.4%.

The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) climbed 1%.

In corporate news, Novartis ( NVS ) has agreed to buy Regulus Therapeutics ( RGLS ) for an initial cash payment of $7 per share, Regulus said. Regulus surged 134%, and Novartis ( NVS ) eased 0.2%.

Humana (HUM) shares rose 1.3% after it reported higher Q1 adjusted earnings and revenue.

Amylyx Pharmaceuticals (AMLX) shares added 1.1%. The firm said the first participant has been dosed in the phase 3 trial of avexitide in post-bariatric hypoglycemia.