04:01 PM EDT, 03/20/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks were edging higher up Thursday afternoon, with the NYSE Health Care Index rising 0.2% and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) up 0.1%.

The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) fell 1.1%.

In corporate news, Autonomix Medical ( AMIX ) shares jumped past 9% after the US Patent and Trademark Office granted it a patent covering sensing data collection and processing with its catheter-based technology.

Cosciens Biopharma ( CSCI ) shares tumbled 22% after the firm overnight reported a possible delay in filing year-end reporting documents.

OptiNose ( OPTN ) shares surged 52% after the company overnight said it agreed to be acquired by Paratek Pharmaceuticals in a deal valued at up to $330 million.