Healthcare stocks were mixed premarket Monday, with the iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) up 0.9% and the State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) 0.1% lower.
Novo Nordisk (NVO) is facing shareholder calls to develop new medicines and pursue acquisitions to lower its dependence on its popular weight-loss treatments, the Financial Times reported, citing the company's investors. Shares of Novo Nordisk were down nearly 5% pre-bell.
Alkermes (ALKS) stock was up nearly 6% after the company said its drug candidate ALKS 7290 showed clinically meaningful improvements from baseline on exploratory endpoints in a phase 1b study in patients with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD.
Telix (TLX) entered into an agreement to acquire Munich-based radioisotope maker ITM Isotope Technologies for $1.65 billion in upfront consideration to strengthen its radiopharmaceutical offerings, the company announced. Shares of Telix Pharmaceuticals were down more than 9% premarket.