03:56 PM EST, 12/09/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks edged up late Monday afternoon, with the NYSE Health Care Index adding 0.3% and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) up 0.4%.

The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) rose 0.5%.

In corporate news, police in Altoona, Pennsylvania, have arrested a "person of interest" carrying a gun similar to the weapon used in the shooting death of a UnitedHealthcare (UNH) executive last week, according to media reports. UnitedHealthcare shares were rising 2.5%.

GSK (GSK) shares climbed 4.2%. The company said a phase 3 trial showed a "statistically significant and clinically meaningful overall survival" for the belantamab mafodotin combination versus the daratumumab combination as a second line or later treatment for multiple myeloma.

Editas Medicine ( EDIT ) shares popped 5.8% after the company said that its renizgamglogene autogedtemcel therapy continued to be well-tolerated in sickle cell disease patients.

Kodiak Sciences ( KOD ) shares jumped 29% after Jefferies upgraded the company's rating to buy from hold. Jefferies also raised its price target for the stock to $20 from $6.