Healthcare stocks rose Wednesday afternoon, with the NYSE Healthcare Index increasing 0.7% and the State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) adding 1%.
The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) advanced 1.4%.
In corporate news, Medtronic (MDT) reported better-than-expected fiscal Q4 results on Wednesday, while the medical-device maker projected earnings and organic revenue growth for the current year. Its shares gained 5.4%.
TG Therapeutics (TGTX) said its subcutaneous formulation of ublituximab showed "positive" results from a phase 1 trial comparing the multiple sclerosis therapy to the drug's intravenous version. Shares jumped past 11%.
Maia Biotechnology (MAIA) shares rose 3.7% after the firm said Wednesday it has received clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration to open enrollment for the expansion of a phase 2 trial of ateganosine for advanced non-small cell lung cancer.