Bridge completed, providing access to tribal land for Catawba Indian Nation
'It's an exciting day': Crews break ground on new Kings Mountain casino
The newly completed bridge, which spans just under a mile, opens up previously difficult-to-reach land that the Catawba Indian Nation plans to develop. The tribe intends to use the land for new housing, court offices, and business ventures, which are expected to significantly benefit the community.
'It's gonna be a very prosperous zone as soon as it gets going and we will be getting up soon within the next year,' said Chief Brian Harris of the Catawba Indian Nation.
The development of new homes on the land will enable thousands of tribal members to return to the reservation, according to the Catawba Nation.
The Rivercrest Road Bridge project marks a significant step for the Catawba Indian Nation, paving the way for economic growth and community development on their land.
VIDEO: Catawbas break ground on $300M Vegas-like casino in Kings Mountain
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Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Miami Herald
MIRA Reports Potent Inflammatory Pain Relief from Non-Psychoactive Marijuana Analog Mira-55 in Animal Model, Matching Morphine Without Opioid Risks
With Mira-55 and Ketamir-2, MIRA is advancing complementary non-opioid therapies for two of the largest pain markets MIAMI, FLORIDA / ACCESS Newswire / July 3, 2025 / MIRA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:MIRA) ("MIRA" or the "Company"), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics for neurologic, neuropsychiatric, and metabolic disorders, today announced positive preclinical data demonstrating that Mira-55, the Company's proprietary non-psychotropic marijuana analog, delivered morphine-comparable pain relief in a validated model of inflammatory pain-without causing local inflammation. Mira-55 is a next-generation analog of marijuana, engineered to selectively activate CB2 cannabinoid receptors, which are associated with anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Unlike THC, Mira-55 minimizes activation of CB1 receptors, reducing the risk of euphoria, sedation, and pro-inflammatory side effects. "These results reinforce the value of Mira-55 as a differentiated cannabinoid-based therapy with real clinical potential," said Erez Aminov, Chairman and CEO of MIRA. "We believe the drug's ability to match morphine's pain relief-without the baggage of addiction, sedation, or THC-like effects-makes Mira-55 an ideal candidate for large, underserved inflammatory pain markets. It's another step in building a non-opioid pain franchise that addresses both inflammatory and neuropathic pain." Study Overview and Key Findings Mira-55 was tested using the formalin model, a gold-standard preclinical method for studying inflammatory pain. In this model, formalin is injected into the rat's paw, producing a pain response that mimics human inflammatory pain. Pain sensitivity was assessed using Von Frey Filament testing, which measures tactile pain thresholds, and inflammation was measured by paw edema volume. Key findings: Mira-55 reduced pain sensitivity by approximately threefold, restoring thresholds to near-baseline analgesic effect was equivalent to morphine, the standard opioid comparator in the sedation or inflammatory swelling was observed with Mira-55 treatment. Importantly, following a scientific review, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) determined that Mira-55 is not classified as a controlled substance. This designation supports the compound's long-term clinical and commercial viability and removes key barriers typically associated with cannabinoid-based drug development. These results build on prior data from a separate inflammatory pain model conducted by a leading U.S. academic research center, where Mira-55 blocked both thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia without increasing inflammation. In contrast, low-dose THC in that model exacerbated inflammation-further validating Mira-55's selective pharmacological profile. "Mira-55 offers the pain-relieving potential of cannabinoids without the liabilities traditionally seen in THC-based drugs," said Dr. Itzchak Angel, Chief Scientific Advisor at MIRA. "Its novel structure and unique profile with CB2 selectivity and non-scheduled DEA status make it a compelling candidate for treating inflammation-driven pain conditions that are poorly managed by today's standards." Strategic Fit Within MIRA's Pain Portfolio Mira-55 complements Ketamir-2, MIRA's clinical-stage NMDA receptor antagonist, which is advancing through Phase 1 development for neuropathic pain. While Ketamir-2 addresses nerve-related pain through central mechanisms, Mira-55 targets inflammatory pain through the endocannabinoid system. Together, they represent two mechanistically distinct, non-opioid approaches to treating chronic pain. "With Mira-55 and Ketamir-2, we now have two highly differentiated drug candidates with the potential to transform how inflammatory and neuropathic conditions are treated," added Aminov. "We're advancing each asset methodically, and we're energized by the momentum we've built across the pipeline." Corporate Update on SKNY Merger MIRA also announced continued progress on its previously disclosed acquisition of SKNY Pharmaceuticals, the developer of SKNY-1, a novel investigational therapy targeting both obesity and nicotine addiction. In recent studies, SKNY-1 demonstrated a 30% reduction in body weight without muscle loss, along with a reversal of nicotine cravings-highlighting its potential as a differentiated treatment in two major markets. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has completed its review of the merger proxy with no comments, allowing MIRA to proceed with shareholder approval and the final steps toward completing the transaction. "We are pleased to report that the SEC had no comments on our merger filing, which reflects the quality of our regulatory and business preparation," said Aminov. "This milestone allows us to advance toward shareholder approval with clarity and confidence as we prepare for the next phase of growth." Next Steps MIRA Pharmaceuticals is advancing Mira-55 toward an Investigational New Drug (IND) submission, with ongoing activities supporting future clinical development in inflammatory pain. The Company remains focused on progressing both lead programs-Mira-55 and Ketamir-2-toward their next regulatory and clinical milestones. About MIRA Pharmaceuticals, Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:MIRA) is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of novel therapeutics for neurologic, neuropsychiatric, and metabolic disorders. The Company's pipeline includes oral drug candidates designed to address significant unmet medical needs in areas such as neuropathic pain, inflammatory pain, obesity, addiction, anxiety, and cognitive decline. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release and the statements of MIRA's management related thereto contain "forward-looking statements," which are statements other than historical facts made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements may be identified by words such as "aims," "anticipates," "believes," "could," "estimates," "expects," "forecasts," "goal," "intends," "may," "plans," "possible," "potential," "seeks," "will," and variations of these words or similar expressions that are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Any statements in this press release that are not historical facts may be deemed forward-looking. Any forward-looking statements in this press release are based on MIRA's current expectations, estimates, and projections only as of the date of this release and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties (many of which are beyond MIRA's control) that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those set forth in or implied by such forward-looking statements, including related to MIRA's potential merger with SKNY Pharmaceuticals, Inc. These and other risks concerning MIRA's programs and operations are described in additional detail in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and the Form 14A filed by MIRA on June 18, 2025, and other SEC filings, which are on file with the SEC at and on MIRA's website at MIRA explicitly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except to the extent required by law. Contact:Helga Moyainfo@ 432-9792 SOURCE: MIRA Pharmaceuticals
USA Today
2 days ago
- USA Today
MIRA Reports Potent Inflammatory Pain Relief from Non-Psychoactive Marijuana Analog Mira-55 in Animal Model, Matching Morphine Without Opioid Risks
With Mira-55 and Ketamir-2, MIRA is advancing complementary non-opioid therapies for two of the largest pain markets MIRA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:MIRA) ('MIRA' or the 'Company'), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics for neurologic, neuropsychiatric, and metabolic disorders, today announced positive preclinical data demonstrating that Mira-55, the Company's proprietary non-psychotropic marijuana analog, delivered morphine-comparable pain relief in a validated model of inflammatory pain-without causing local inflammation. Mira-55 is a next-generation analog of marijuana, engineered to selectively activate CB2 cannabinoid receptors, which are associated with anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Unlike THC, Mira-55 minimizes activation of CB1 receptors, reducing the risk of euphoria, sedation, and pro-inflammatory side effects. 'These results reinforce the value of Mira-55 as a differentiated cannabinoid-based therapy with real clinical potential,' said Erez Aminov, Chairman and CEO of MIRA. 'We believe the drug's ability to match morphine's pain relief-without the baggage of addiction, sedation, or THC-like effects-makes Mira-55 an ideal candidate for large, underserved inflammatory pain markets. It's another step in building a non-opioid pain franchise that addresses both inflammatory and neuropathic pain.' Study Overview and Key Findings Mira-55 was tested using the formalin model, a gold-standard preclinical method for studying inflammatory pain. In this model, formalin is injected into the rat's paw, producing a pain response that mimics human inflammatory pain. Pain sensitivity was assessed using Von Frey Filament testing, which measures tactile pain thresholds, and inflammation was measured by paw edema volume. Key findings: Mira-55 reduced pain sensitivity by approximately threefold, restoring thresholds to near-baseline levels. Its analgesic effect was equivalent to morphine, the standard opioid comparator in the study. No sedation or inflammatory swelling was observed with Mira-55 treatment. Importantly, following a scientific review, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) determined that Mira-55 is not classified as a controlled substance. This designation supports the compound's long-term clinical and commercial viability and removes key barriers typically associated with cannabinoid-based drug development. These results build on prior data from a separate inflammatory pain model conducted by a leading U.S. academic research center, where Mira-55 blocked both thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia without increasing inflammation. In contrast, low-dose THC in that model exacerbated inflammation-further validating Mira-55's selective pharmacological profile. 'Mira-55 offers the pain-relieving potential of cannabinoids without the liabilities traditionally seen in THC-based drugs,' said Dr. Itzchak Angel, Chief Scientific Advisor at MIRA. 'Its novel structure and unique profile with CB2 selectivity and non-scheduled DEA status make it a compelling candidate for treating inflammation-driven pain conditions that are poorly managed by today's standards.' Strategic Fit Within MIRA's Pain Portfolio Mira-55 complements Ketamir-2, MIRA's clinical-stage NMDA receptor antagonist, which is advancing through Phase 1 development for neuropathic pain. While Ketamir-2 addresses nerve-related pain through central mechanisms, Mira-55 targets inflammatory pain through the endocannabinoid system. Together, they represent two mechanistically distinct, non-opioid approaches to treating chronic pain. 'With Mira-55 and Ketamir-2, we now have two highly differentiated drug candidates with the potential to transform how inflammatory and neuropathic conditions are treated,' added Aminov. 'We're advancing each asset methodically, and we're energized by the momentum we've built across the pipeline.' Corporate Update on SKNY Merger MIRA also announced continued progress on its previously disclosed acquisition of SKNY Pharmaceuticals, the developer of SKNY-1, a novel investigational therapy targeting both obesity and nicotine addiction. In recent studies, SKNY-1 demonstrated a 30% reduction in body weight without muscle loss, along with a reversal of nicotine cravings-highlighting its potential as a differentiated treatment in two major markets. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has completed its review of the merger proxy with no comments, allowing MIRA to proceed with shareholder approval and the final steps toward completing the transaction. 'We are pleased to report that the SEC had no comments on our merger filing, which reflects the quality of our regulatory and business preparation,' said Aminov. 'This milestone allows us to advance toward shareholder approval with clarity and confidence as we prepare for the next phase of growth.' Next Steps MIRA Pharmaceuticals is advancing Mira-55 toward an Investigational New Drug (IND) submission, with ongoing activities supporting future clinical development in inflammatory pain. The Company remains focused on progressing both lead programs-Mira-55 and Ketamir-2-toward their next regulatory and clinical milestones. About MIRA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. MIRA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:MIRA) is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of novel therapeutics for neurologic, neuropsychiatric, and metabolic disorders. The Company's pipeline includes oral drug candidates designed to address significant unmet medical needs in areas such as neuropathic pain, inflammatory pain, obesity, addiction, anxiety, and cognitive decline. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release and the statements of MIRA's management related thereto contain 'forward-looking statements,' which are statements other than historical facts made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements may be identified by words such as 'aims,' 'anticipates,' 'believes,' 'could,' 'estimates,' 'expects,' 'forecasts,' 'goal,' 'intends,' 'may,' 'plans,' 'possible,' 'potential,' 'seeks,' 'will,' and variations of these words or similar expressions that are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Any statements in this press release that are not historical facts may be deemed forward-looking. Any forward-looking statements in this press release are based on MIRA's current expectations, estimates, and projections only as of the date of this release and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties (many of which are beyond MIRA's control) that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those set forth in or implied by such forward-looking statements, including related to MIRA's potential merger with SKNY Pharmaceuticals, Inc. These and other risks concerning MIRA's programs and operations are described in additional detail in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and the Form 14A filed by MIRA on June 18, 2025, and other SEC filings, which are on file with the SEC at and on MIRA's website at MIRA explicitly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except to the extent required by law. Contact: Helga Moya info@ (786) 432-9792 SOURCE: MIRA Pharmaceuticals View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
Business Insider
2 days ago
- Business Insider
Everyone is saying AI will reshape banking. A new report forecasts exactly how much.
A new report attempts to put hard numbers on a question hanging over every Wall Street corner office: just how much of banking work will AI actually change? Artificial intelligence is on track to redefine 44% of the work done at banks by 2030, according to ThoughtLinks, an independent consulting firm. ThoughtLinks — which is led by founder and CEO Sumeet Chabria, a former tech and operations COO at Bank of America and a Wall Street veteran — mapped nearly 5,000 individual banking "processes" to see which roles or units at banks will experience the most upheaval in their roles. ThoughtLinks found that tech, engineering, and infrastructure—collectively considered one sector — would be most susceptible to transformation, with a projection of 55% of the work involved in that sector being redefined by 2030. It's a logical outcome, considering how many of the tasks in these fields are precisely the kinds that automation is best suited to handle. Front office, client-facing sectors are hardly immune. Commercial banking could be redefined by as much as 49% by 2030, wealth management to the tune of 42%, and investment banking by as much as 33%, according to the report. Wall Street banks are investing heavily to compete. JPMorgan has deployed a large language model suite to its 200,000 employees, while Goldman Sachs has rolled out its own ChatGPT-like sidekick, GS AI Assistant. Citigroup also last week announced a new leadership team to drive AI strategy for its nearly quarter-million workers worldwide. It's important to note that these numbers do not reflect ThoughtLinks' predictions about how many jobs could be lost or created as a result of AI — rather, they look at how much of the work done by those who work in banks could be done differently thanks to the implementation of artificial intelligence. To assess how much each banking process could be redefined, ThoughtLinks developed a framework that maps what bank employees do to nearly 5,000 individual "processes." "'Redefined' reflects substantial AI-enabled, process-level change via automation, resequencing, elimination, or redesign," the firm wrote in its report. In an interview, Chabria said that breaking finance jobs down to their most basic components would be critical to understanding how to retrain workers in the face of the AI revolution. "Clearly, you've got to keep the level of agility," he said, "because things are going to change." Chabria shared three examples with Business Insider of how he anticipates sectors to respond to AI-driven changes. We got a look at snapshots for commercial banking, investment banking, and wealth management. Take a look at what's already transforming, what will be adapted by 2030, and the parts of the job that may stay mostly in the hands of humans for now. Commercial banking: 49% redefined by 2030 What's already being automated: First-generation banking advisor copilot services are now live, helping bankers obtain insights on clients, quickly summarize notes or files, draft basic memos, or flag policy exceptions. Some manual workflows — like creating spreadsheets, drafting emails, and navigating legacy systems — are being replaced. This reduces time doing manual work, as well as human error. Customers have access to virtual AI-enabled assistants on corporate banking systems that give them personalized insights and enable them to do routine transactions more quickly. What is expected to be redefined by 2030: Client onboarding: GenAI will help guide client onboarding conversations and tailor explanations, while the next iteration of AI will likely be able to verify forms and assess risks. Banks will leverage AI to assess small business creditworthiness to expand credit access. Banks will use AI to adjust loan pricing, fee structures, and product terms based on clients' behavior, financial patterns, and market conditions. AI tools will help detect some breaches and generate internal alerts in real time, increasing security 24/7. What is likely to resist being redefined by AI: Large corporate lending will still require human credit judgment and board oversight. Banks will need to rely on legal, tax, risk, and structuring teams. Investment Banking: 33% redefined by 2030 What's already being automated: Drafting documents like prospectuses or pitchbooks is being digitized. Generative AI tools can now pull in some market data, past deals, financial comps, and company-branded slides to build draft pitchbooks in minutes. Internal AI copilots are accelerating deal prep. Bankers can now use GPT-based tools to instantly summarize earnings calls, analyst reports, and client financials. Generative AI tools can now review documents, flag missing disclosures, and summarize new regulatory changes. What is expected to be redefined by 2030: Banks will leverage AI to simulate investor demand or model pricing scenarios for equity and debt offerings. (Final allocation will remain human-led.) AI will help bankers test thousands of ways to structure a deal by adjusting debt, equity, pricing, and covenants to find the right balance for clients. What is likely to resist being redefined by AI: Final IPO and syndicate pricing will remain human-led. Setting the price for a new issuance will require banker judgment, market feel, and live investor feedback. Winning mandates and advising the C-suite will remain relationship-driven and led by humans, who will use AI to enhance their knowledge or judgment and land new mandates. Wealth Management: 42% redefined by 2030 What's already being automated: AI copilots can now answer questions, generate meeting prep docs, and summarize client portfolios — in seconds. Financial planning is faster and becoming more scalable. Tools powered by generative AI can aid advisors in building personalized plans that simulate life events, goals, and risk tolerance without starting from scratch. Client reporting is now becoming personalized with custom commentary on investment performance, market moves, and risk tailored to each client's portfolio. What is expected to be redefined by 2030: Tax management will become more automated and timely. AI will help tailor advice and investment strategies to reflect individual preferences, financial behavior, and goals. On the flip side, clients may use AI to manage their wealth in their own portfolio with smart triggers. What is likely to resist being redefined by AI: Client engagement and coaching will remain human. During market downturns or personal events, clients still want empathy, reassurance, and value judgment that only a trusted advisor can provide.
