01:51 PM EDT, 06/07/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks were higher Friday afternoon, with the NYSE Health Care Index and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) each rising 0.3%.

The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) fell 0.5%.

In corporate news, Asensus Surgical ( ASXC ) shares surged 41% after the company agreed to be acquired by Karl Storz Endoscopy-America, a unit of Karl Storz, for $0.35 per share in cash.

Geron ( GERN ) shares soared nearly 21% after the company said it received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration for its drug Rytelo to treat adult patients with lower-risk myelodysplastic syndrome, a type of leukemia.

Rapport Therapeutics (RAPP) shares jumped 7.4% in recent Friday trading after debuting on Nasdaq at $18 per share.