Latest news with #PeterFlynn
Irish Independent
4 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Councillors slam ‘shady deal' claims and ‘libellous' posts as Westport land sale is approved
The sale of the green area had become a controversial topic, and a social media campaign was launched by the Westport Family and Community Resource Centre to oppose the sale, the meeting was told.. The controversies continued when, in the meeting, local councillors claimed that some of the campaigners were spreading misinformation about the sale and making libellous statements online. The land, located off Church Lane in Westport, was agreed for sale in June by the Westport and Belmullet Municipal District. The sale will allow the Wyatt Hotel to add 50 rooms and an underground carpark with 106 spaces. An additional €280,000 will be allocated to Mayo County Council, with this contribution specifically ring-fenced for the development and improvement of a playground in the area. Cllr Peter Flynn proposed the sale in the meeting. He addressed the online scrutiny and insisted that there was nothing suspicious about the sale. 'We've heard comments about corruption, about shady deals with business people, and undercover deals. I want to address this here and now because it's really way off the mark. Everything that has been done to date in relation to this particular sale has gone through the exact same process as any other section 183. The Kavanagh family owns the Wyatt Hotel and other businesses in the Westport area. Cllr Flynn stated that there had been a two-year period of negotiation between the family and the council. 'They have developed an absolutely brilliant supermarket in our town centre. Similarly with the Wyatt Hotel, they have expanded it into one of the finest hotels in the region. They are bringing people back into the town centre, encouraging the whole vibrancy in the town centre, and ensuring that other businesses are benefiting from people coming into the town year round,' Cllr Brendan Mulroy seconded the proposal for the sale of the land. He claimed that a lot of the content that had been put on social media was 'libellous' and said 'a lot of people need to reflect on what they're putting out there.' 'Through this campaign and particularly over the last couple of days, I have been accused of having no interest in the youth of Westport and not representing them. I take offense to that, I was a child of Westport, and I grew up in Westport town. Some of the commentary on the Facebook pages has been nothing short of shocking, there's doubt being cast on this deal, there's doubt being cast on the elected representatives.' He continued: 'If we can get a hotel with 50 bedrooms and 100+ parking spaces and €280,0000 to go back into the community, that's what you call looking after your community. We will sit down and we will talk to any group, but what we will not do is be intimidated, shouted at, roared at, or have assertions cast upon people.' In the meeting, a counter proposal was made by Cllr John O'Malley. While he didn't disapprove of the sale, he proposed a delay in the decision on the grounds that there was not enough information given to the public. He said: 'I propose that we have to meet with the people and have a consultation with them, as far as I'm concerned, they're not happy. We need to sit down and have a consultation with them so they know exactly what's happening.' The counter proposal was supported by Cllr Michael Kilcoyne, who said: 'Defer this today, let the local community hold these people elected, sit down and discuss it. At the next council meeting, put it back on the agenda.' Cllr Mulroy and Cllr Flynn both disputed the argument to defer the vote by eight weeks, arguing that it would only give more time to damage the reputation of the sale, the families involved, and the council as well. Cllr Flynn pointed out that the sale will still require planning permission and urged anyone with objections to make them known during this stage. Before the council chamber voted on the proposal, the Chief Executive of Mayo County Council, Kevin Kelly, assured the people that the proper statutory process for a section 183 had been followed and that the information would not usually be made public until a statutory notice is issued. He continued: 'I think it's very important that it's stated that there is nothing untoward in respect of this proposal or this transaction. In a scenario where you are getting full market value, a significant community gain in terms of additional financial resources, parking, and hotel bedroom spaces. To me, it's an absolute no-brainer in terms of a proposal, 'If we could make every proposal going before you as attractive as that, we would have a very easy life,' he joked. The counter proposal to defer the sale of the land until September with the promise of giving more information to the local community during this time, was defeated 18 votes to seven with one. The vote to allow the proposal and dispose of the land was accepted 22 votes to two with three abstentions. This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
Irish Independent
25-06-2025
- Irish Independent
Man arrested after a number of locations in Westport defaced with graffiti
Locations in Altamount Street, the urban greenway and the town centre were among those defaced between 11.30pm Monday June, 23, and 1.30am on Tuesday June 24. An anti-graffiti project delivered by Westport Tidy Towns and funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development was also defaced. Photos of the damage have circulated on social media and have been widely condemned, with local councillor Peter Flynn branding the culprits as 'brain dead idiots'. Speaking to the Irish Independent this morning (Wednesday), Cllr Flynn said similar smaller incidents of illicit graffiti have occurred in the west Mayo town in recent years, but 'nothing as bad as this'. The Westport Tidy Towns committee have won several national awards for the upkeep of the town. The Clew Bay town also scored favourably in a recent Irish Business Against Litter survey. Westport Tidy Towns have already undertaken work to remove the paint 'We will not be deterred by wonton vandalism,' Westport Tidy Towns said in a statement on Facebook. An Garda Síochána Mayo described the vandalism as 'deeply upsetting.' 'Westport is well known for its long and proud tradition of being involved in the Tidy Towns - this is due to the strong community spirit and voluntary efforts of local residents, businesses, and those working with Mayo County Council who together - make our town a beautiful and welcoming place to both live and visit.' Anyone who noticed suspicious activity in the locality between the hours of 11.30pm Monday June, 23, and 1.30am on Tuesday June 24 is asked to contact Westport Garda Station by phone or in person. Gardaí are currently examining CCTV footage as part of their investigation. They have asked anyone with dashcam or doorbell footage captured when the alleged criminal damage occurred to make it available to them. 'Our message is very clear- incidents of criminal damage and anti-social behaviour of this nature, will not be tolerated, and will be fully investigated.'
Business Wire
17-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Arialys Therapeutics Publishes Preclinical Data in Nature Communications Supporting ART5803 as a First-in-Class Precision Therapeutic for Anti-NMDA Receptor Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disease
LA JOLLA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Arialys Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering new precision medicines for autoimmune neuropsychiatric diseases, today announced the publication of preclinical data in Nature Communications demonstrating that its lead drug candidate, ART5803, effectively blocks the underlying disease mechanism in anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis (ANRE) and rapidly reverses behavioral symptoms in a non-human primate model. The findings support the continued clinical development of ART5803 as a first-in-class, targeted therapeutic. The company is currently completing Phase 1 safety studies for ART5803 and plans Phase 2 evaluation in anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis (ANRE) and autoimmune psychosis patients in the second half of 2025. 'This study underscores the promise of ART5803 to directly address neuropsychiatric disease caused by anti-NMDA receptor-targeting pathogenic antibodies,' said Peter Flynn, Ph.D. President and CEO of Arialys Therapeutics. Share 'This study underscores the promise of ART5803 to directly address neuropsychiatric disease caused by anti-NMDA receptor-targeting pathogenic antibodies,' said Peter Flynn, Ph.D. President and CEO of Arialys Therapeutics. 'Despite our understanding of the disease mechanism and its severity, ANRE lacks an approved therapy. Further, there is a growing body of data identifying significant levels of anti-NMDA receptor autoantibodies in subpopulations of patients diagnosed with diseases that result in psychosis and dementia.' 'These data provide compelling evidence that ART5803 can directly block the pathogenic effect of autoantibodies that target the NMDA receptor, resulting in a rapid resolution of symptoms,' said Mitsuyuki (Mickey) Matsumoto, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of Arialys Therapeutics and senior author of the paper. 'Our detailed structural and functional analyses confirm that ART5803 precisely inhibits NMDA receptor internalization induced by the pathogenic autoantibodies, while preserving normal receptor function. In addition, our discovery of a potential molecular mimicry mechanism for anti-NMDA receptor autoantibody generation broadens the understanding of disease initiation and may inform future indication expansion for ART5803.' Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis (ANRE) is a rare, potentially lethal, poorly managed, and often misdiagnosed neurological disease. ANRE is caused by pathogenic autoantibodies that bind to and crosslink NMDA receptors in the brain, leading to receptor internalization and synaptic dysfunction. The result is a range of debilitating neuropsychiatric symptoms including psychiatric and behavioral alterations, cognitive decline, seizures, coma, and diminished autonomic function. A significant percentage of ANRE patients are pediatric, where NMDA receptor-specific autoantibodies can also result in neurological development deficits. There are no approved therapies for this disease, and current treatments rely on broadly immunosuppressive therapies, which are associated with delayed efficacy and significant side effects. Recent findings have also identified anti-NMDA receptor autoantibodies in other neurological and psychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, and dementia. Arialys is planning clinical assessment of ART5803 in anti-NMDA receptor autoantibody-positive psychosis patients. The company is also currently testing patient samples using a proprietary high-throughput screen for autoantibodies to identify enriched disease indications and subpopulations for future clinical development. ART5803 is a humanized, monovalent IgG1 antibody engineered to selectively bind the GluN1 subunit of the NMDA receptor without disrupting receptor function or causing internalization. In this study, ART5803 demonstrated the ability to potently block NMDA receptor internalization in cellular and neuronal models and reversed both molecular and behavioral hallmarks of disease in a novel marmoset model of ANRE. Notably, ART5803 exhibited rapid onset of action and was well tolerated in vivo. The publication also includes a detailed characterization of ART5803's binding epitope, its mechanism of action, and population pharmacokinetic modeling supporting the feasibility of systemic administration in patients. In addition to demonstrating the therapeutic potential of ART5803, the paper revealed a potential link between infections—specifically Toxoplasma gondii and certain bacterial pathogens—and the generation of pathogenic anti-NMDA receptor autoantibodies. Epitope mapping analysis identified regions of potential molecular mimicry between microbial proteins and the GluN1 subunit of the NMDA receptor, suggesting that infections could serve as environmental triggers for disease initiation. Notably, toxoplasmosis and bacterial infections are well-established risk factors for a range of neuropsychiatric conditions. These findings not only suggest a basis for disease pathogenesis but also support broader therapeutic opportunities for ART5803 across autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders. ART5803 is currently being evaluated in a Phase 1 clinical trial in healthy volunteers. In February 2025, Arialys announced completion of all single ascending dose (SAD) cohorts and initiation of multiple ascending dose (MAD) cohorts. The company expects to share initial clinical data in the second half of 2025 and initiate Phase 2 proof-of-concept studies. The publication was completed in collaboration with researchers from Astellas Pharma Inc., University of California, Davis, Kitasato University School of Medicine, and Vanadro LLC. About Arialys Therapeutics Arialys was founded by investors Avalon Bioventures, Catalys Pacific and MPM to meaningfully expand the treatment possibilities for neuropsychiatric disorders driven by autoimmune disease. Using a combination of highly sensitive autoantibody detection, patient sampling and receptor structural biology, Arialys has developed a first-in-class precision therapy to specifically block pathogenic autoantibodies in the brain. Arialys is headquartered in La Jolla, California. For more information, visit
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Arialys Therapeutics Publishes Preclinical Data in Nature Communications Supporting ART5803 as a First-in-Class Precision Therapeutic for Anti-NMDA Receptor Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disease
Study highlights novel monovalent therapeutic antibody's ability to block NMDA receptor internalization and reverse disease phenotypes in primate models LA JOLLA, Calif., June 17, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Arialys Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering new precision medicines for autoimmune neuropsychiatric diseases, today announced the publication of preclinical data in Nature Communications demonstrating that its lead drug candidate, ART5803, effectively blocks the underlying disease mechanism in anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis (ANRE) and rapidly reverses behavioral symptoms in a non-human primate model. The findings support the continued clinical development of ART5803 as a first-in-class, targeted therapeutic. The company is currently completing Phase 1 safety studies for ART5803 and plans Phase 2 evaluation in anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis (ANRE) and autoimmune psychosis patients in the second half of 2025. "This study underscores the promise of ART5803 to directly address neuropsychiatric disease caused by anti-NMDA receptor-targeting pathogenic antibodies," said Peter Flynn, Ph.D. President and CEO of Arialys Therapeutics. "Despite our understanding of the disease mechanism and its severity, ANRE lacks an approved therapy. Further, there is a growing body of data identifying significant levels of anti-NMDA receptor autoantibodies in subpopulations of patients diagnosed with diseases that result in psychosis and dementia." "These data provide compelling evidence that ART5803 can directly block the pathogenic effect of autoantibodies that target the NMDA receptor, resulting in a rapid resolution of symptoms," said Mitsuyuki (Mickey) Matsumoto, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of Arialys Therapeutics and senior author of the paper. "Our detailed structural and functional analyses confirm that ART5803 precisely inhibits NMDA receptor internalization induced by the pathogenic autoantibodies, while preserving normal receptor function. In addition, our discovery of a potential molecular mimicry mechanism for anti-NMDA receptor autoantibody generation broadens the understanding of disease initiation and may inform future indication expansion for ART5803." Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis (ANRE) is a rare, potentially lethal, poorly managed, and often misdiagnosed neurological disease. ANRE is caused by pathogenic autoantibodies that bind to and crosslink NMDA receptors in the brain, leading to receptor internalization and synaptic dysfunction. The result is a range of debilitating neuropsychiatric symptoms including psychiatric and behavioral alterations, cognitive decline, seizures, coma, and diminished autonomic function. A significant percentage of ANRE patients are pediatric, where NMDA receptor-specific autoantibodies can also result in neurological development deficits. There are no approved therapies for this disease, and current treatments rely on broadly immunosuppressive therapies, which are associated with delayed efficacy and significant side effects. Recent findings have also identified anti-NMDA receptor autoantibodies in other neurological and psychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, and dementia. Arialys is planning clinical assessment of ART5803 in anti-NMDA receptor autoantibody-positive psychosis patients. The company is also currently testing patient samples using a proprietary high-throughput screen for autoantibodies to identify enriched disease indications and subpopulations for future clinical development. ART5803 is a humanized, monovalent IgG1 antibody engineered to selectively bind the GluN1 subunit of the NMDA receptor without disrupting receptor function or causing internalization. In this study, ART5803 demonstrated the ability to potently block NMDA receptor internalization in cellular and neuronal models and reversed both molecular and behavioral hallmarks of disease in a novel marmoset model of ANRE. Notably, ART5803 exhibited rapid onset of action and was well tolerated in vivo. The publication also includes a detailed characterization of ART5803's binding epitope, its mechanism of action, and population pharmacokinetic modeling supporting the feasibility of systemic administration in patients. In addition to demonstrating the therapeutic potential of ART5803, the paper revealed a potential link between infections—specifically Toxoplasma gondii and certain bacterial pathogens—and the generation of pathogenic anti-NMDA receptor autoantibodies. Epitope mapping analysis identified regions of potential molecular mimicry between microbial proteins and the GluN1 subunit of the NMDA receptor, suggesting that infections could serve as environmental triggers for disease initiation. Notably, toxoplasmosis and bacterial infections are well-established risk factors for a range of neuropsychiatric conditions. These findings not only suggest a basis for disease pathogenesis but also support broader therapeutic opportunities for ART5803 across autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders. ART5803 is currently being evaluated in a Phase 1 clinical trial in healthy volunteers. In February 2025, Arialys announced completion of all single ascending dose (SAD) cohorts and initiation of multiple ascending dose (MAD) cohorts. The company expects to share initial clinical data in the second half of 2025 and initiate Phase 2 proof-of-concept studies. The publication was completed in collaboration with researchers from Astellas Pharma Inc., University of California, Davis, Kitasato University School of Medicine, and Vanadro LLC. About Arialys Therapeutics Arialys was founded by investors Avalon Bioventures, Catalys Pacific and MPM to meaningfully expand the treatment possibilities for neuropsychiatric disorders driven by autoimmune disease. Using a combination of highly sensitive autoantibody detection, patient sampling and receptor structural biology, Arialys has developed a first-in-class precision therapy to specifically block pathogenic autoantibodies in the brain. Arialys is headquartered in La Jolla, California. For more information, visit View source version on Contacts Media: Jessica Yingling, Ph.D., Little Dog Communications Inc., jessica@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
The Sun
25-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Inside UK's 1st Reform pub with £2 pints, boozers drinking ‘Remainer tears' & even Corbyn's allowed in, on one condition
IN the classic 1989 film Field Of Dreams, Kevin Costner is inspired to create a baseball pitch after hearing a voice say: 'If you build it, he will come.' And that philosophy is at the heart of the decision by landlords Peter Flynn and Nick Lowe to turn a cheap boozer into the nation's first Reform UK pub. 5 5 5 'Well, we built it and they are coming,' Peter, 53, proudly tells me, with a pint in hand inside the hub he believes will lead to Nigel Farage becoming Prime Minister by 2029. Two weeks ago, The Talbot in Blackpool shed its near-100-year-old Conservative Club ties and turned from blue to turquoise, courtesy of a paint job to its exterior. According to the owners, customers are ecstatic — not just for pints as cheap as £2.60 and beef stew costing £2, but to have a safe space to discuss real issues plaguing the British public. They claim takings are up threefold since the rebrand and that their 'common sense' punters have travelled from as far as Belfast, Glasgow and London. Not a 'den for racists' It comes after Reform gave the Tories and Labour a bloody nose at elections earlier this month, taking control of ten councils and two mayoralities as well as adding a fifth MP at a by-election. Now Mark Butcher, the party's chairman for Blackpool and Fleetwood, warns they are not just satisfied with establishing a 'good foothold within Lancashire', but have plans to take over pubs and clubs across the country. Mark says: 'We're the people's army — we're rising up and the colour is turquoise. There will be no red wall, no blue wall by the time we're finished. 'Real politics is on the ground, where people discuss issues on a daily basis, so we've hit the jackpot at The Talbot.' It is a sentiment shared by ex-warehouse manager Keith Pickering, 60, who considers the pub a political Mecca where you can 'speak your mind' without judgment and engage in debate. There was a steady 20-plus throng of regulars during The Sun's early afternoon visit, and it is regularly joked that you can buy a pint of 'Remainer's tears'. I'll never give up booze, vows Nigel Farage as Reform tipped to make HUGE gains in local elections The pub proudly flies a Union Jack flag in the lobby alongside Vote Reform flyers above the bar, beside a quadruple-sized billiards hall, which costs 50p a game. Bartender Skye Reid, 18, tells us she can't wait to cast her first vote for Reform. She is thrilled by the news that Farage, whose party endorsed the pub, has promised the owners he will visit. We'll be in every day if Nigel is coming down. I love him. I want him to be Prime Minister, 100 per cent Skye Reid Skye tells us: 'We'll be in every day if Nigel is coming down. 'I love him. I want him to be Prime Minister, 100 per cent. 'I'm not a racist, it's just so wrong that they house illegal immigrants before our homeless. They put them in hotels and give them everything on a plate. It's frustrating.' She is referring to the 220 hotels across the UK, including Blackpool's Britannia Metropole on the promenade, which is just an eight-minute walk away. 5 5 Holidaymaker James Rooney, who is staying at the hotel with his family while visiting from Manchester, says he couldn't wait to raise a glass in the UK's first Reform pub, especially after 'the disaster of the last election'. The former staunch Conservative voter says: 'My family always voted Labour because they used to be for the working man, but now it is the reverse. Both parties can fire off — we'll go for Farage from now on.' Jeremy Corbyn — unless he has a photo taken under our Reform pub sign, we wouldn't serve him — and we'd charge him double Peter Many of the pubgoers are fuming over Keir Starmer's recent U-turn over Brexit, which will see more Europeans travel for work and study, a crackdown on our agricultural industry and what has been described as a 'humiliating surrender' of our fishing rights. Plumber Dave Crowder, 64, says: 'Labour has sold us down the river. All of their other policies are on the backburner — how can they do that? 'They claim it takes years to pass them but when it's something they want, it's sorted right away.' Long road ahead The pub regulars' tonic for the current crisis is Farage, and landlords Nick and Peter are well-versed, having consoled Blackpool residents over their struggles. Peter claims they are 'preventing anger turning into violence' by offering infuriated residents a chance for their voices to be heard. The duo, who took over the pub in 2009, insist all 'races, creeds, religions' are welcome in The Talbot, and they are not a 'den for racists' — nor will they tolerate it. They indeed appear to have somewhat of an open-door policy, with The Sun even encountering an unflinching Labour supporter propping up the bar. But there's one figure who may not be so welcome. 'Jeremy Corbyn — unless he has a photo taken under our Reform pub sign, we wouldn't serve him — and we'd charge him double,' Peter says with a laugh. With up to four years to go before another general election, there is a long road ahead for Reform UK. And no doubt they will be hoping the ambitions of their Talbot faithful prove more than a field of dreams.
