Shares of Roche Holding Group
ROG,
+0.54%
were up 0.1% in trading on Friday, the day after the company said its COVID-19 drug has been authorized in the U.S. as a treatment for those who have been hospitalized with COVID-19 who are at least two years old. The drug, Actemra, is already approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. The intravenous therapy is reserved for the very ill, including those patients already taking steroids, on oxygen, or being ventilated. Roche's stock is up 7.0% for the year, while the broader S&P 500
SPX,
+0.26%
has gained 13.0%.