Latest news with #EthanWeiss
The Sun
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Three generations of same family bring out the big guns as they all grab Mr Universe gongs
THREE generations of the same family brought out the big guns as they all grabbed Mr Universe gongs. Grandad Terry Weiss, 65, won the over-65s category, his son Kyle, 37, got the Classic Athletic award and his son Ethan, 16, bagged the under-21s title. 2 The trio muscled out the competition in Italy this month, scooping nine gongs in all. Kyle, of Barnsley, said: 'We think this is a world first. 'I can't believe what we've achieved. 'My feet still haven't touched the ground. 'The hardest part was getting all the nine 20in trophies home.' All three now qualify for Mr World in Rome in October. Terry, who has won more than 90 titles including Mr Universe and Mr World, said: 'I'm so glad I got to do that with the family.' The trio followed a strict diet of lean meat, eggs and spinach before the contest but celebrated afterwards with a slice of pizza. 2
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Marea Therapeutics Presents Preclinical Data on Novel Growth Hormone Receptor Antagonist Antibody, MAR002, for the Treatment of Acromegaly at ENDO 2025
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., July 14, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Marea Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company harnessing the latest advances in human genetics to develop first-in-class, next-generation medicines for cardioendocrine diseases, today announced the presentation of preclinical data on MAR002, a novel growth hormone receptor (GHR) antagonist antibody for the treatment of acromegaly, at the 2025 Annual Meeting of the Endocrine Society (ENDO). The oral presentation, titled "Development of a Novel Growth Hormone Receptor Antagonist Antibody for the Treatment of Acromegaly," highlights the significant potential of MAR002 to address critical unmet needs in patients suffering from this rare and highly morbid disease. Presentation highlights include: Highly potent GHR antagonism: MAR002 is a novel, highly potent antagonist of growth hormone (GH) signaling. It demonstrates superior GHR binding relative to pegvisomant and approximates the affinity of native GH. Allosteric mechanism of action: MAR002 does not prevent GH binding to the GHR in vitro and potently antagonizes downstream signaling across a broad range of GH concentrations. Superior suppression: MAR002 suppresses GHR signaling in vitro, achieving 93% suppression of human GHR compared to 24% for pegvisomant. Enhanced durability: MAR002 exhibited potent and sustained insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) suppression in vivo in non-human primates (NHPs). Compared head-to-head to pegvisomant, a single dose of MAR002 resulted in a similar maximum IGF-1 suppression, but with a considerably longer duration of effect. Marea Therapeutics has completed a GLP-toxicology study to assess MAR002's safety. The preclinical pharmacology data strongly support advancing MAR002 into clinical development; a Phase 1 first-in-human study is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2025. Marea's development strategy aims for rapid advancement into acromegaly patients after achieving proof of mechanism in healthy volunteers, with a clear path to approval guided by FDA guidance for IGF-1 normalization. "The preclinical data presented at ENDO 2025 underscore the potential of MAR002 to meaningfully transform the treatment landscape for acromegaly," said Ethan Weiss, M.D., chief scientific officer of Marea Therapeutics. "With its strong potency, enhanced durability, and favorable developability profile, MAR002 is uniquely positioned to overcome the limitations of current therapies and offer a more effective, targeted approach for patients. We are excited to advance MAR002 into clinical development and bring forward a next generation and potential best-in-class GHR antagonist." Marea Therapeutics believes MAR002 represents a significant opportunity to replace and expand the market for existing growth hormone receptor antagonists (GHRAs) and could also be used in combination with somatostatin receptor ligands (SRLs), offering a more effective and convenient treatment option for patients with acromegaly. About MAR002 MAR002 is a novel, potent and selective half-life-extended, allosteric, human monoclonal GHRA antibody being developed for the treatment of acromegaly. The PK and PD properties of MAR002 are predictable and typical of a half-life extended human antibody, showing a long duration of action compatible with infrequent subcutaneous dose administration in humans. These characteristics support its potential to offer an effective and convenient treatment for patients with acromegaly. About Acromegaly Acromegaly is an orphan disease characterized by the excess secretion of growth hormone (GH) from a benign pituitary adenoma. Acromegaly affects approximately 30,000 patients in the U.S. If left untreated, acromegaly is highly morbid, leading to significant comorbidities such as GH-induced insulin resistance and diabetes, and serious cardiovascular pathology. The median lifespan of patients can be shortened by 10 years without effective therapy, and incomplete IGF-1 normalization is associated with increased mortality. Despite its severity, acromegaly is often under or misdiagnosed, with an average time from symptom onset to diagnosis of approximately eight years. The current treatment paradigm for acromegaly often involves surgery, performed in over 90% of patients, which achieves remission in about 50% of cases, though this can degrade over time. Medical therapy is required for approximately 65% (around 20,000 in the U.S.) of patients during their disease journey, regardless of their surgical history. Current medical treatments include somatostatin receptor ligands (SRLs) and growth hormone receptor antagonists (GHRAs), such as pegvisomant. However, many patients do not achieve biochemical control with existing therapies. About Marea Therapeutics Marea Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company harnessing the latest advances in human genetics to develop first-in-class, next-generation medicines for cardioendocrine diseases. The company's lead therapy, MAR001, is in Phase 2 clinical development for adults with metabolic dysfunction and high risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The company is also advancing MAR002 for the treatment of acromegaly. To learn more, please visit and follow us on LinkedIn and X. View source version on Contacts Media:1ABKatie Englemankatie@ Investors:Meru AdvisorsLauren Glaserlglaser@ Sign in to access your portfolio
WebMD
02-06-2025
- Business
- WebMD
Keto Debate: Is Low-Carb a Game Changer or a Risky Gamble?
With one glaring exception. Recent estimates show that 13 million Americans follow a ketogenic diet – a nutrition paradigm based on extremely low carbs and high fats – and its popularity is only growing. "This one's hardly a fad, since it's over 100 years old," said Ethan Weiss, MD, a preventive cardiologist at the University of California, San Francisco. Stores like Costco, Kroger, and Target today advertise "keto-friendly" products to help followers stay the course, and keto snacks are getting more popular among younger consumers. The market size for keto is $13 billion today, and projected to be worth over $16 billion in 2030. Enthusiasts swear by its health benefits: rapid weight loss, better appetite control, lower blood sugar levels, reduced insulin spikes, and decreased inflammation. "Keto diets have been shown over multiple studies to be beneficial in terms of weight loss and, at least to some degree, in helping the treatment of diabetes," said Weiss. Yet keto diets directly challenge decades of research showing that consuming high amounts of fat over long periods harms your health, in particular heart health. Unlike more widely recommended eating patterns, such as the Mediterranean diet and DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), keto is highly restrictive and hard to maintain, and lacks long-term data. So who's right – mainstream nutrition scientists or keto aficionados? That question has received a lot of attention in recent research. And while a conclusive answer may be years away, current evidence urges caution when it comes to going all in on keto. Ketones as Fuel Originally developed in the 1920s as a treatment for epilepsy, the keto diet dramatically reduces how many carbs you eat. This mimics the metabolic effects of fasting, forcing the body into a state of "ketosis" – when the liver starts converting stored fat into ketone bodies (an alternative energy source when glucose, or sugar, is scarce). Doctors found that the diet could significantly make seizures less frequent and less severe, particularly in children who did not respond well to other treatments. Typically, the U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends people eat a diet consisting of about 45%-65% carbohydrates, 10%-35% protein, and 20%-35% fat. Total calorie intake recommended for Americans is 1,600-2,400 for women and 2,000-3,000 for men. Following a keto diet means shifting the percentages of fats, carbs, and protein to 70%-80% fat, 5%-10% carbs, and 10%-20% protein. If you eat 2,000 calories a day, that amounts to 20-50 grams of carbs (about two to three slices of bread), 75 grams of protein (10 ounces of beef, chicken, or turkey), and 165 grams of fat (11 tablespoons of peanut butter, or 10 avocados). Eating fewer carbs reduces glucose levels, prompting your pancreas to produce less insulin. Since insulin promotes fat storage, having less of it helps keep fat from building up. Combined with ketosis, this fat-burning state can make low-carb diets work better for weight loss than low-fat ones, research suggests. The drastic shift can lead to short-term side effects like fatigue, headaches, crankiness, and brain fog – what some refer to as the "keto flu." This can make the diet hard to follow, as do the very strict guidelines on nutrient proportions. That's part of the reason keto is so appealing to the food industry: Demand is high for products that simplify the preparation of high-fat, low-carb meals. Still, keto backers say once the first few weeks are over, the flu-like symptoms disappear and meal prep becomes second nature. But these challenges aside: Is keto truly a healthy choice? Benefits and Risks of Keto: What the Research Shows A 2023 big-picture review, published in BMC Medicine and covering 17 meta-analyses of 68 randomized trials, found that keto diets can improve triglycerides, body weight, and blood sugar levels in adults with overweight or obesity – and reduce seizures in patients with epilepsy. A 2025 study also highlights how cutting carbs and entering ketosis can lower body mass index, waist size, and visceral fat – highlighting the power of keto for weight management. Other research confirms that the keto diet consistently improves markers of metabolic syndrome – a collection of conditions that raise the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and stroke. It's also been shown to improve cholesterol levels, reduce inflammation, lower blood pressure, and even slow vascular aging (changes in your blood vessels as you get older). Yet for all the benefits, research also highlights serious concerns, including nutrient deficiency, increased heart disease risk, and higher levels of LDL cholesterol (the kind that can build up in arteries and cause heart problems). The BMC Medicine review, too, found a significant increase in LDL cholesterol, underscoring the need for long-term trials to assess keto diets' impact on the health of the heart and blood vessels. "The concern is that ketogenic diets are going to raise the level of your cholesterol, and that will be harmful for your heart in the long term, even if there are short-term benefits related to weight loss," said Sadiya Khan, MD, a professor of cardiovascular epidemiology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Those happy with their waistline on keto may dismiss the negative effects. "They're trying to convince themselves that what I consider to be an alarming increase in LDL cholesterol is not dangerous," said Weiss. "That's the single biggest drawback as to the long-term safety of these diets." Cutting way back on carbs means you likely have to sacrifice whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, leading to deficiencies in fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants that supplements can't make up for, said Khan. Other long-term adverse effects of keto include digestive issues like constipation, bloating, and diarrhea, and a higher risk of kidney stones. The Best Way to Do Keto The contradictory findings point to one conclusion: More research, especially long-term, is needed to make sure the keto diet is safe. So far, it seems that the short-term benefits may not offset the long-term risks. With that in mind, the safest way to make the most of keto may be to take breaks from time to time. A 2024 study found that sticking to a continuous ketogenic diet might age cells – especially in your heart and kidneys – potentially leading to harmful inflammation. But people in the study who took breaks from the diet didn't have these negative effects. "The biggest thing we tried to stress is you don't want to be on it for too long," said study author David Gius, MD, PhD, a professor of radiation oncology at University of Texas Health San Antonio. "Take a break. Take a keto vacation." That means following a keto diet for about four to five days, long enough for most people to enter a state of ketosis, followed by a break of two to three days. But that's not the only precaution to take, Gius said. You also need to talk to your doctor and a dietitian before trying keto, as the diet must be tailored to each person, he said. Ask your doctor for a lipid panel and heart panel, along with a thorough cardiac exam, said Gius, who recommended checking back in every three to six months for updated lipid and heart panels. "Other than the rise in LDL cholesterol, I think keto is safe," said Weiss. He recommends a hybrid model approach: a low-carb, Mediterranean-style diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and heart-healthy fats and low in processed foods. Several randomized clinical trials link this eating pattern to a lower risk of chronic diseases, longer lifespan, and the prevention of conditions like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, atrial fibrillation, and breast cancer.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Marea Therapeutics Announces Publication in The Lancet of Positive Data from Phase 2a Clinical Trial of MAR001 for Cardiovascular Disease
Publication follows late-breaking oral presentation of Phase 2a results at the 93rd EAS Congress; MAR001 demonstrated approximately 53% placebo-adjusted mean reductions in remnant cholesterol and triglycerides at 12 weeks Second publication of MAR001 preclinical results in eBioMedicine that demonstrate improved plasma lipid profiles SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., May 16, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Marea Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company harnessing the latest advances in human genetics to develop first-in-class, next-generation medicines for cardioendocrine diseases, today announced that positive results from a Phase 2a clinical trial of MAR001 were published in The Lancet entitled "Safety and efficacy of a novel ANGPTL4 inhibitory antibody for lipid lowering: results from phase 1 and phase 1b/2a clinical studies." The publication follows a recent late-breaking oral presentation of the Phase 2a results at the 93rd EAS Congress and can be accessed here. In addition, Marea announced a publication of MAR001 preclinical results in the peer-reviewed journal eBioMedicine entitled "A Novel ANGPTL4 Inhibitory Antibody Safely Improves Lipid Profiles in Non-Human Primates." The publication can be accessed here. MAR001 is a first-in-class monoclonal antibody that targets ANGPTL4, a protein that is highly expressed in adipose tissue. Results from Marea's Phase 2a clinical trial of MAR001 demonstrated approximately 53% placebo-adjusted mean reductions in remnant cholesterol and triglycerides at 12 weeks with a favorable safety profile. "We are excited to have our MAR001 Phase 2a clinical results and preclinical data recognized within the broader scientific community through these publications in The Lancet and eBioMedicine," said Ethan Weiss, M.D., chief scientific officer of Marea. "These findings validate ANGPTL4 inhibition and the ability of MAR001 to safely and effectively reduce remnant cholesterol and triglycerides, which align with genetic findings and support further development in addressing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk. We look forward to initiating a Phase 2b trial of MAR001 in the second quarter of 2025." About Remnant Cholesterol Remnant cholesterol is carried by triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, is highly atherogenic, and drives cardiovascular events independent of classical risk factors like LDL cholesterol, diabetes, or obesity. There are currently no available targeted therapies to lower remnant cholesterol and improve metabolic function. About MAR001 MAR001 is a first-in-class monoclonal antibody that targets ANGPTL4, a protein that is highly expressed in adipose tissue. By inhibiting ANGPTL4 and thereby augmenting lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity, MAR001 is designed to lower remnant cholesterol and improve adipose tissue function. Human genetic data has identified ANGPTL4 as a highly promising therapeutic target because loss of function alleles lead to lower remnant cholesterol, improved adipose distribution, improved insulin sensitivity, lower triglyceride levels, and protection from cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. MAR001 is being developed to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in adults with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) plus elevated triglycerides and remnant cholesterol. Preclinical models with MAR001 demonstrated reduction in triglycerides, remnant cholesterol and ectopic fat, and improved insulin sensitivity. Results from a Phase 2a study of MAR001 demonstrated clinically meaningful reductions in remnant cholesterol and triglycerides. Marea plans to advance MAR001 into Phase 2b clinical development in the second quarter of 2025. About Marea Therapeutics Marea Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company harnessing the latest advances in human genetics to develop first-in-class, next-generation medicines for cardioendocrine diseases. The company's lead therapy, MAR001, is in Phase 2 clinical development for adults with metabolic dysfunction and high risk for cardiovascular disease. The company is also advancing MAR002 for the treatment of acromegaly. To learn more, please visit and follow us on LinkedIn and X. View source version on Contacts Media Contact:Katie Engleman, 1ABkatie@
Business Wire
16-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Marea Therapeutics Announces Publication in The Lancet of Positive Data from Phase 2a Clinical Trial of MAR001 for Cardiovascular Disease
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Marea Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company harnessing the latest advances in human genetics to develop first-in-class, next-generation medicines for cardioendocrine diseases, today announced that positive results from a Phase 2a clinical trial of MAR001 were published in The Lancet entitled 'Safety and efficacy of a novel ANGPTL4 inhibitory antibody for lipid lowering: results from phase 1 and phase 1b/2a clinical studies.' The publication follows a recent late-breaking oral presentation of the Phase 2a results at the 93rd EAS Congress and can be accessed here. In addition, Marea announced a publication of MAR001 preclinical results in the peer-reviewed journal eBioMedicine entitled 'A Novel ANGPTL4 Inhibitory Antibody Safely Improves Lipid Profiles in Non-Human Primates.' The publication can be accessed here. MAR001 is a first-in-class monoclonal antibody that targets ANGPTL4, a protein that is highly expressed in adipose tissue. Results from Marea's Phase 2a clinical trial of MAR001 demonstrated approximately 53% placebo-adjusted mean reductions in remnant cholesterol and triglycerides at 12 weeks with a favorable safety profile. 'We are excited to have our MAR001 Phase 2a clinical results and preclinical data recognized within the broader scientific community through these publications in The Lancet and eBioMedicine,' said Ethan Weiss, M.D., chief scientific officer of Marea. 'These findings validate ANGPTL4 inhibition and the ability of MAR001 to safely and effectively reduce remnant cholesterol and triglycerides, which align with genetic findings and support further development in addressing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk. We look forward to initiating a Phase 2b trial of MAR001 in the second quarter of 2025.' About Remnant Cholesterol Remnant cholesterol is carried by triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, is highly atherogenic, and drives cardiovascular events independent of classical risk factors like LDL cholesterol, diabetes, or obesity. There are currently no available targeted therapies to lower remnant cholesterol and improve metabolic function. About MAR001 MAR001 is a first-in-class monoclonal antibody that targets ANGPTL4, a protein that is highly expressed in adipose tissue. By inhibiting ANGPTL4 and thereby augmenting lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity, MAR001 is designed to lower remnant cholesterol and improve adipose tissue function. Human genetic data has identified ANGPTL4 as a highly promising therapeutic target because loss of function alleles lead to lower remnant cholesterol, improved adipose distribution, improved insulin sensitivity, lower triglyceride levels, and protection from cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. MAR001 is being developed to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in adults with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) plus elevated triglycerides and remnant cholesterol. Preclinical models with MAR001 demonstrated reduction in triglycerides, remnant cholesterol and ectopic fat, and improved insulin sensitivity. Results from a Phase 2a study of MAR001 demonstrated clinically meaningful reductions in remnant cholesterol and triglycerides. Marea plans to advance MAR001 into Phase 2b clinical development in the second quarter of 2025. About Marea Therapeutics Marea Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company harnessing the latest advances in human genetics to develop first-in-class, next-generation medicines for cardioendocrine diseases. The company's lead therapy, MAR001, is in Phase 2 clinical development for adults with metabolic dysfunction and high risk for cardiovascular disease. The company is also advancing MAR002 for the treatment of acromegaly. To learn more, please visit and follow us on LinkedIn and X.
