03:41 PM EDT, 08/27/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks were mixed late Wednesday afternoon, with the NYSE Health Care Index adding 0.1% and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) shedding 0.1%.

The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) was up 0.1%.

In corporate news, Moderna ( MRNA ) said the US Food and Drug Administration approved its supplemental biologics license applications for the updated 2025-2026 formulas of Spikevax and mNexspike vaccines, which target the LP.8.1 variant of SARS-CoV-2 to help prevent COVID-19. Moderna ( MRNA ) shares rose 1.3%.

The scope of the US Department of Justice's investigation into UnitedHealth ( UNH ) goes beyond previously disclosed allegations of Medicare fraud with the DOJ also looking into the insurer's prescription management services and how it reimburses its doctors, Bloomberg reported. UnitedHealth ( UNH ) shares were rising 1.2%.

Pfizer ( PFE ) and BioNTech (BNTX) said the US Food and Drug Administration approved a supplemental license application for their LP.8.1-adapted monovalent COVID-19 vaccine for use in adults ages 65 and older and people ages 5 through 64 with at least one underlying condition that leaves them at high risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19. Pfizer ( PFE ) shares added 0.7%, and BioNTech fell 1.2%.

Azitra ( AZTR ) shares surged 32% after the company dosed the first patient in a phase 1/2 trial assessing its ATR04-484 biotherapeutic candidate intended to treat skin rashes associated with epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors.