03:56 PM EST, 02/21/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks were decreasing late Friday afternoon, with the NYSE Health Care Index easing 0.2% and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) shedding 0.3%.

The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) was fractionally lower.

In corporate news, Estrella Immunopharma ( ESLA ) shares rose 2% after the firm said it has completed the first dose group in an ongoing phase 1/2 trial assessing EB103 in adults with relapsed/refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Bluebird bio (BLUE) shares plunged 42% after it agreed to be acquired by funds managed by Carlyle (CG) and SK Capital Partners.

UnitedHealth Group ( UNH ) on Friday refuted a report by The Wall Street Journal that the US Department of Justice started an investigation into the health insurer's Medicare billing practices. UnitedHealth ( UNH ) shares fell 7.3%.

Novo Nordisk ( NVO ) resolved its shortage of weight-loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, according to an update on the US Food and Drug Administration website. Companies such as Hims & Hers Health ( HIMS ) will no longer be legally allowed to make and sell compounded alternatives. Novo Nordisk ( NVO ) shares jumped 5.4%, while Hims & Hers tumbled 24%.