Healthcare was one of the only three sectors trading in the green on the ASX at midday Thursday, at 0.5%.

Neuren Pharmaceuticals (ASX:NEU) said the US Patent and Trademark Office allowed its application covering the use of NNZ-2591 to treat Pitt-Hopkins syndrome, a rare genetic condition, to be issued as a patent. Once issued, the patent is set to expire in April 2040. Its shares soared over 9% in recent trading.

On the flip side, the information technology sector fell almost 2%, dragged down by sector heavyweight Xero (ASX:XRO), which fell almost 5% in recent trade.

The software giant received commitments to raise AU$1.85 billion through the placement of 10.5 million shares at AU$176 apiece. The proceeds will fund the company's acquisition of fintech firm Melio and its associated entities, along with transaction costs.