03:48 PM EDT, 10/18/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks were higher late Friday afternoon, with the NYSE Health Care Index up 0.3% and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) rising 0.4%.

The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) increased 0.2%.

In corporate news, Sanofi ( SNY ) is close to finalizing a deal this weekend to sell control of its consumer health unit Opella to Clayton Dubilier & Rice, Bloomberg reported. Sanofi ( SNY ) shares added 0.2%.

Bright Minds Biosciences ( DRUG ) shares soared 159% after the company said Friday that it launched a private placement of shares at $21.70 apiece.

CVS Health ( CVS ) shares tumbled past 5%. The company said Friday it named David Joyner as its new chief executive, while issuing a preliminary Q3 earnings outlook that came in below analysts' estimates.

Orgenesis ( ORGS ) shares plunged 35% after the company said in a regulatory filing it was notified that the Nasdaq hearings panel has decided to delist its shares and suspend trading, effective Monday.