01:58 PM EDT, 10/04/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks eased Friday afternoon with the NYSE Health Care Index and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) both down 0.2%.

The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) rose 0.3%.

In corporate news, Organon's (OGN) finasteride-containing Propecia product is under review in the EU over the ingredient's link to the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, the European Medicines Agency said. GSK's (GSK) Avodart is also under review by regulators, Reuters reported. Organon shares rose 0.6%, and GSK was up 0.5%.

Sage Therapeutics ( SAGE ) faces a high-risk outlook as it awaits the year-end phase 2 readout for its Huntington's disease treatment called dalzanemdor, RBC Capital Markets said. RBC downgraded the stock to underperform from sector perform and lowered its price target to $4 from $10. Sage shares fell 3.9%.

A Thermo Fisher Scientific ( TMO ) plant has over the past decade repeatedly breached rules meant to keep drugs free from contamination, Reuters reported, citing US Food and Drug Administration documents. Thermo Fisher shares fell 0.5%.