Health-care companies edged lower, as a risk-on mood weighed on the typically defensive sector.

Novartis struck a deal valued at up to $7.8 billion to license a messenger RNA drug candidate from Abogen Biosciences and gain options over future therapies, turning to China to fill its pipeline.

Many of the world's biggest drugmakers have set their sights on China to look for new drug ideas, seeking to bolster their portfolios in preparation for older medicines going off patent. Novartis has sealed several tie-ups with emerging Chinese biotech players in recent years.