Health care stocks were mixed late Thursday afternoon, with the NYSE Health Care Index shedding 0.1% and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) fractionally higher.

The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) rose 0.3%.

In corporate news, Ventyx Biosciences (VTYX) shares surged 76% after the company said VTX3232 showed significant reductions in cardiovascular risk factors in a phase 2 trial in people with obesity and cardiovascular risks.

Molina Healthcare (MOH) shares fell 18%. The company late Wednesday reported quarterly earnings that missed market expectations and issued a full-year outlook below analysts' estimates.

Moderna (MRNA) shares were down 2.7% after the company said a phase 3 trial of mRNA-1647 investigational vaccine failed to meet its primary efficacy endpoint of preventing cytomegalovirus infection in seronegative women of childbearing age between 16 and 40 years.

Viking Therapeutics (VKTX) shares jumped 8% after Morgan Stanley raised the company's price target to $102 from $98, while keeping its overweight rating. Viking reported Q3 results late Wednesday.