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Health care stocks were notching strong gains Friday with the NYSE Health Care Sector Index climbing more than 0.9% and shares of health care companies in the S&P 500 also rising almost 0.9% as a group.

In company news, Biogen Idec ( BIIB ) jumped to an all-time high Friday morning after interim results from Phase Ib testing of its aducanumab drug candidate indicated the experimental drug treatment reduced amyloid plaque in the brains of patients with prodromal or mild Alzheimer's disease.

Statistically significant declines of amyloid plaque were seen in both the 3 milligrams and the 10 milligrams per kilogram study arms, the company said, adding the drug also demonstrated an acceptable safety profile and positive results on radiologic and clinical measurements.

"This is the first time an investigational drug for Alzheimer's disease has demonstrated a statistically significant reduction on amyloid plaque as well as a statistically significant slowing of clinical impairment in patients with prodromal or mild disease," said Dr. Alfred Sandrock, chief medical officer at BIIB. "Based on these results, we are advancing the aducanumab clinical program to Phase 3 with plans to initiate enrollment later this year."

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Health Care Sector Update for 03/20/2015: BIIB,PRTA,THRX