03:50 PM EST, 02/25/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks were rising late Tuesday afternoon, with the NYSE Health Care Index adding 0.8% and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) up 0.6%.

The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) shed 0.6%.

In corporate news, Novartis ( NVS ) stakeholder Emasan is offering to sell around 26.5 million shares, or a 1.2% stake, in the pharmaceutical company, Bloomberg reported Tuesday. Novartis ( NVS ) shares were rising 0.5%.

Eli Lilly ( LLY ) on Tuesday launched higher doses of Zepbound, or tirzepatide, in single-dose vials and reduced the prices of two smaller doses of the weight-loss drug for self-pay patients. Its shares popped 2.5%.

Organovo ( ONVO ) said Tuesday that Eli Lilly ( LLY ) will acquire its FXR program, including its lead asset FXR314. Organovo ( ONVO ) shares surged 236%.

UnitedHealth Group ( UNH ) Chief Executive Andrew Witty was asked by Sen. Chuck Grassley, an Iowa Republican, to share detailed information on the company's Medicare billing practices, The Wall Street Journal reported. UnitedHealth ( UNH ) shares were rising 1.7%.