Health care stocks rose Friday afternoon, with the NYSE Health Care Index increasing 1.3% and the State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) adding 1.2%.
The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) climbed 2.4%.
In corporate news, the US Food and Drug Administration will "take swift action against companies mass-marketing illegal copycat drugs" of FDA-approved products, FDA Commissioner Marty Makary said in a late Thursday post on social media platform X. Reuters reported Friday that the announcement followed Hims & Hers Health's (HIMS) launch of a cheaper alternative to Novo Nordisk's (NVO) FDA-approved Wegovy pill. Novo shares jumped past 8%, and Hims & Hers fell 2.3%.
Pulse Biosciences (PLSE) shares surged 33% after the company said clinical data from its nPulse cardiac catheter feasibility study showed successful treatment of atrial fibrillation in 150 people with "rapid" procedure times and minimal adverse effects.
SpyGlass Pharma (SGP) shares soared 87% in their Nasdaq debut after the company raised about $150 million in its IPO.