Health care stocks edged up late Thursday afternoon, with the NYSE Health Care Index rising 0.2% and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) fractionally higher.

The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) added 0.1%.

In corporate news, Vor Biopharma (VOR) shares surged 80%, a day after the company signed a license deal with RemeGen for global rights, excluding Greater China, to develop and commercialize telitacicept for autoimmune diseases.

3D Systems (DDD) shares popped 7% after the firm said collaboration with Tissium has resulted in US Food and Drug Administration approval for 3D-printed polymeric solution for repair of peripheral nerve damage.

Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) reported fiscal Q3 results above market estimates, even though the drugstore chain was weighed down by weakness in US retail sales. The shares rose 0.5%.

Novo Nordisk (NVO) entered into a collaboration with WeightWatchers to expand patient access to its weight-loss drug Wegovy. Novo shares added 0.5%.

ReShape Lifesciences (RSLS) shares fell 3%. The firm plans to cut jobs to save $750,000, or 23% of annual payroll expenses.