Healthcare stocks rose late Wednesday afternoon, with the NYSE Healthcare Index increasing 0.6% and the State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) adding 0.8%.
The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) advanced 1.7%.
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 5.8%.
BioNTech (BNTX) cautioned that proposed healthcare reforms in Germany, due for a vote this summer, may put future investments in the country at risk, Bloomberg reported, citing Chief Commercial Officer Annemarie Hanekamp. BioNTech shares fell 0.8%.
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 10%.
Maia Biotechnology (MAIA) shares rose 4.4% 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.