European equities traded in the US as American depositary receipts were surging higher late Wednesday morning, rising 1.25% to 1,614.11 on the S&P Europe Select ADR Index.

From continental Europe, the gainers were led by pharmaceutical companies Novo Nordisk (NVO) and Ascendis Pharma (ASND), which rose 3.5% and 1.8%, respectively. They were followed by biopharmaceutical company DBV Technologies (DBVT) and lender Banco Santander (SAN), which were up 1.7% and 1.6%, respectively.

The decliners from continental Europe were led by biopharmaceutical company Cellectis (CLLS) and brewing company Anheuser-Busch InBev (BUD), which fell 4.6% and 1%, respectively. They were followed by biotech firm Evaxion (EVAX) and pharmaceutical company Sanofi (SNY), which were off 0.9% each.

From the UK and Ireland, the gainers were led by biopharmaceutical companies Akari Therapeutics (AKTX) and NuCana (NCNA), which increased 5.5% and 3.7%, respectively. They were followed by lenders Barclays (BCS) and Lloyds Banking Group (LYG), which advanced 3.2% each.

The decliners from the UK and Ireland were led by biotech firm Autolus Therapeutics (AUTL) and biopharmaceutical company Bicycle Therapeutics (BCYC), which dropped 4.3% and 1.6%, respectively. They were followed by biopharmaceutical company Mereo BioPharma Group (MREO) and alcoholic beverage company Diageo (DEO), which lost 0.8% and 0.5%, respectively.