Healthcare stocks edged lower Wednesday afternoon, with the NYSE Healthcare Index and the State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) each down 0.1%.
The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) rose 0.4%.
In corporate news, Legend Biotech (LEGN) could see pressures from competition and its recent leadership change, potentially weighing on its Carvykti myeloma therapy strategy, Oppenheimer said in a note. The firm downgraded Legend to perform from outperform and cut the price target to $40 from $75. Legend shares fell nearly 6%.
Arbutus Biopharma (ABUS) shares dropped 2.5% after the company reported that it swung to a Q2 loss as revenue fell during the period.
Definium Therapeutics (DFTX) shares jumped 6% after it said Wednesday its phase 3 trial of DT120 lysergide orally disintegrating tablets in adults with generalized anxiety disorder met its primary endpoint.