03:59 PM EDT, 10/14/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks advanced late Tuesday afternoon, with the NYSE Health Care Index up 0.2% and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) adding 0.3%.

The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) increased 0.8%.

In corporate news, GSK (GSK) said its Shingrix vaccine for the prevention of shingles was approved by China's National Medical Products Administration for adults aged 18 years and over. GSK shares rose 0.7%.

Humana (HUM) lost its bid to overturn cuts to Medicare Advantage bonus payments as a Texas judge ruled for the US government and upheld a downgrade to quality star ratings that influence plan reimbursements, Bloomberg Law reported. Humana shares fell 3.2%.

Johnson & Johnson ( JNJ ) raised its full-year sales guidance on Tuesday following stronger-than-expected Q3 results, while the healthcare products conglomerate said it plans to spin off its orthopedics business. Its shares were down 0.2%.

Shah Capital has urged the board of Novavax ( NVAX ) to pursue a sale of the company, citing persistent underperformance, continued slipups on the rollout of its COVID-19 vaccine and timid and ineffective marketing. Novavax ( NVAX ) shares climbed 3.4%.

BioCryst Pharmaceuticals ( BCRX ) has agreed to buy Astria Therapeutics ( ATXS ) in a deal valued at about $700 million, the firms said. Astria shares surged 38%, and BioCryst fell 8.5%.