01:50 PM EDT, 08/23/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks were edging higher Friday afternoon, with the NYSE Health Care Index adding 0.2% and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) up 0.3%.

The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) rose 1.1%.

In corporate news, Moderna ( MRNA ) said Friday the EU's executive arm approved its respiratory syncytial virus vaccine for adults aged 60 years and above. Its shares rose 1.3%.

Pulmonx ( LUNG ) shares jumped 9.2% after Chief Executive Steven Williamson disclosed his purchases of common stock.

Align Technology ( ALGN ) shares popped 2.3% in recent trading, a day after the company said it's piloting a US promotional program for Invisalign treatments for Costco (COST) members.