09:14 AM EST, 12/04/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks were steady pre-bell Wednesday as the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund ( XLV ) and the iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) were flat recently.

Cross Country Healthcare ( CCRN ) shares surged past 62% after the company and Aya Healthcare announced an agreement under which Aya will acquire Cross Country Healthcare ( CCRN ) for $18.61 per share in cash for roughly $615 million in transaction value.

Heron Therapeutics ( HRTX ) shares rose by over 72% after the company said it won a patent dispute over its Cinvanti injectable emulsion against Fresenius Kabi USA.

Novavax ( NVAX ) shares were up over 2% after the company said it has agreed to sell its manufacturing facility in Bohumil, Czech Republic, to Novo Nordisk ( NVO ) for $200 million.