03:50 PM EDT, 08/15/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks gained late Friday afternoon, with the NYSE Health Care Index rising 2% and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) adding 1.8%.

The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) advanced 0.8%.

In corporate news, Kura Oncology ( KURA ) shares rose past 11% after a regulatory filing showed CEO Troy Wilson bought 50,000 shares of the company.

UnitedHealth Group ( UNH ) jumped more than 12% after Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A, BRK.B) said in a filing that it bought over 5 million shares of the company in Q2.

Medtronic ( MDT ) is expected to report fiscal Q1 results above market expectations and likely lift its full-year outlook amid easing tariff impacts and forex tailwinds, according to Needham. Medtronic ( MDT ) shares added 1%.

Precigen ( PGEN ) shares surged 59% after the US Food and Drug Administration approved Papzimeos for adults with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis.