03:53 PM EDT, 04/18/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks were mixed late Thursday afternoon, with the NYSE Health Care Index down 0.2% and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) adding 0.1%.

The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) fell 0.7%.

In corporate news, TG Therapeutics ( TGTX ) shares gained 2.2% after the company was awarded a contract potentially worth $186.8 million for Briumvi to be the preferred anti-CD20 agent listed on the US Department of Veterans Affairs' National Formulary to treat people with multiple sclerosis.

Benitec Biopharma ( BNTC ) shares surged 48% after it reported "positive" interim results from the 90-day timepoint following the administration of BB-301 to the first subject in a phase 1b/2a dose-escalation group in oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy.

23andMe (ME) Chief Executive Anne Wojcicki told board members she's considering a plan to acquire the company in a go-private deal, the company said in a regulatory filing. 23andMe shares soared 41%.

Elevance Health ( ELV ) shares popped 3.9% after Q1 results topped estimates and analysts boosted their price targets on the stock.