<div id="readability-page-1">01:44 PM EDT, 04/17/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks climbed Friday afternoon, with the NYSE Health Care Index rising 1.7% and the State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) adding 1.5%.The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) advanced 1.4%.In corporate news, Merck ( MRK ) shares rose 2.3% after it said Friday that the European Commission has approved Enflonsia to prevent respiratory tract disease in newborns and infants.Kura Oncology ( KURA ) shares jumped nearly 7% after it said Friday that new preliminary data from a subset analysis of patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma previously treated with cabozantinib showed &#34;robust&#34; antitumor activity in an ongoing clinical trial of darlifarnib in combination with cabozantinib.Psyence Biomedical ( PBM ) shares surged 66% after it acknowledged recent reports saying that the US administration is preparing an executive order to further evaluate the safety and therapeutic potential of ibogaine, a naturally occurring compound being studied for its potential in treating post-traumatic stress disorder, addiction, and other serious neurological and mental health conditions. Through its investment in PsyLabs, Psyence has established a position in the manufacturing of ibogaine and ibogaine derivatives, it said. MT Newswires does not provide investment advice. Unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited.</div>

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Health care stocks rose on Friday, with the NYSE Health Care Index up 1.7%. Merck shares increased by 2.3% following European Commission approval of Enflonsia for respiratory diseases in infants. Kura Oncology saw a nearly 7% jump after positive trial data for darlifarnib. Psyence Biomedical shares surged 66% amid reports of a US executive order evaluating ibogaine's therapeutic potential for PTSD and addiction. The company has invested in ibogaine manufacturing through PsyLabs.

Sector Update: Health Care Stocks Higher Friday Afternoon