Sector Update: Healthcare Stocks Softer Late Afternoon
Healthcare stocks edged lower late Friday afternoon, with the NYSE Healthcare Index and the State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) each decreasing 0.2%.The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) increased 0.2%.In corporate news, Merck's (MRK) Belzutifan in combination with pembrolizumab has been approved for the adjuvant treatment of adults with renal cell carcinoma, the US Food and Drug Administration said Friday. Merck shares were down 1%.AstraZeneca (AZN) said Friday the US Food and Drug Administration approved Truqap in combination with abiraterone and prednisone for adults with PTEN-deficient metastatic androgen pathway modulation-naive or sensitive prostate cancer. AstraZeneca shares were declining 1.6%.Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) shares fell 1.2% after it said a phase 3 trial of Zepzelca in second-line metastatic small cell lung cancer failed to meet its primary endpoint.Avalo Therapeutics' (AVTX) lead drug abdakibart is now a cleaner immunology story following positive phase 2 trial data to treat skin disease hidradenitis suppurativa, BofA Securities said. BofA started coverage of the stock with a buy rating and a price target of $35. Avalo shares jumped past 7%.