04:00 PM EDT, 05/14/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks were higher late Tuesday afternoon, with the NYSE Health Care Index adding 0.5% and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) up 0.5%.

The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) rose 0.9%.

In corporate news, Ascendis Pharma ( ASND ) said the US Food and Drug Administration has extended the review period by three months for its New Drug Application for TransCon PTH for adults with hypoparathyroidism. Its shares fell almost 6%.

Activist investor Jana Partners acquired a stake in QuidelOrtho ( QDEL ) during Q1, Reuters reported Tuesday. QuidelOrtho ( QDEL ) shares popped 5.7%.

Syra Health ( SYRA ) said it has secured a subcontractor role with LUKE, a prime contractor on a 10-year $43 billion Defense Health Agency contract. Syra shares surged 34%.

23andMe (ME) unit Lemonaid Health is now offering Petros Pharmaceuticals' ( PTPI ) prescription erectile dysfunction drug Stendra through its telehealth platform, the firm said. 23andMe shares jumped nearly 13% while Petros shares shed 2.8%.