02:00 PM EST, 01/17/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks declined Friday afternoon with the NYSE Health Care Index down 0.6% and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) easing 0.1%.

The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) rose 0.3%.

In corporate news, Novo Nordisk ( NVO ) shares fell 5.6% after the Department of Health and Human Services said the company's Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus are among the 15 additional drugs selected for US Medicare price negotiations.

Zentek ( ZTEK ) shares jumped 18% as the company expects to begin sales of its ZenGUARD enhanced air filters in Canada by the end of March.

Zai Lab ( ZLAB ) said its new drug application for KarXT to treat adult patients with schizophrenia was accepted by China's National Medical Products Administration. Its shares rose 2%.