04:04 PM EDT, 08/23/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks rose late Friday afternoon, with the NYSE Health Care Index adding 0.4% and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) up 0.5%.

The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) climbed 1.2%.

In corporate news, Surgery Partners ( SGRY ) shares jumped nearly 17%. TPG (TPG) and UnitedHealth ( UNH ) separately showed initial interest in buying the company, Bloomberg reported.

Johnson & Johnson ( JNJ ) informed some hospitals that they will have to pay full price for two drugs the company sold under the drug-savings program and can then apply for rebates, the Wall Street Journal reported Friday. Johnson & Johnson ( JNJ ) shares added 1.1%.

Moderna ( MRNA ) said Friday the EU's executive arm approved its respiratory syncytial virus vaccine for adults aged 60 years and above. Its shares rose 1.5%.

Pulmonx ( LUNG ) shares popped 8.7% after Chief Executive Steven Williamson disclosed his purchases of common stock.