03:43 PM EDT, 10/03/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks were higher late Friday afternoon, with the NYSE Health Care Index and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) each adding 1.5%.

The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) increased 1.1%.

In corporate news, Novo Nordisk ( NVO ) plans to launch its oral obesity pill, nicknamed "Wegovy-in-a-pill," via telehealth platforms such as Ro and WW (WW) once it gains US approval, with sales expected in early 2026, Bloomberg reported, citing an interview with Dave Moore, the company's US operations chief. Novo shares gained 1.8%, and WW shares climbed 2.3%.

Johnson & Johnson ( JNJ ) shares were up 1.5% after Wells Fargo upgraded the company to overweight from equal-weight and increased the price target to $212 from $170.

UnitedHealth ( UNH ) shareholder Accountability Board called for the company to separate the roles of board chair and chief executive officer. UnitedHealth ( UNH ) shares added 1.7%.

Esperion Therapeutics ( ESPR ) shares jumped past 8% after it said Friday that it has agreed to settle a patent lawsuit against Dr. Reddy's Laboratories (RDY) related to its cholesterol drugs Nexletol and Nexlizet. Dr. Reddy's shares rose 0.6%.