<div id="readability-page-1">01:55 PM EST, 12/22/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks advanced Monday afternoon, with the NYSE Health Care Index up 0.5% and the State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) adding 0.6%.The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) climbed 1.6%.In corporate news, Abivax ( ABVX ) shares jumped past 16% after La Lettre reported that Eli Lilly ( LLY ) has entered early talks with French authorities to explore a possible acquisition of the biotech firm, according to a Google translated text of the report. Eli Lilly ( LLY ) shares were down 0.3%.Johnson &amp; Johnson ( JNJ ) shares added 0.6% after it said the European Commission has extended the marketing authorization for Tremfya, or guselkumab, as a subcutaneous treatment for moderate to severe pediatric plaque psoriasis.Zenas BioPharma ( ZBIO ) shares are seen as attractive ahead of the phase 3 top-line results for obexelimab, expected in the week of Jan. 5 for the treatment of IgG4-RD autoimmune disease, Wedbush said in a report. Zenas shares climbed nearly 16%. MT Newswires does not provide investment advice. Unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited.</div>

ABVX

Health care stocks rose, with the NYSE Health Care Index up 0.5% and the XLV ETF up 0.6%. Abivax shares surged over 16% amid acquisition talks with Eli Lilly, whose shares fell 0.3%. Johnson & Johnson shares increased 0.6% after EU approval for Tremfya. Zenas BioPharma shares rose nearly 16% ahead of phase 3 results for obexelimab, as noted by Wedbush.

Sector Update: Health Care Stocks Higher in Afternoon Trading