Richmond-based Homes.com now country's second-largest residential real estate portal
CoStar Group Inc. CEO Andy Florance said Tuesday on the company's first-quarter earnings call that its Richmond-based Homes.com unit has grown to become the second-largest residential real estate sales portal in the U.S.
Florance said Homes.com recorded 104 million monthly unique visitors in the quarter. He credited a successful media campaign for increasing awareness, including ads with celebrities Dan Levy, Heidi Gardner, Morgan Freeman, Lil Wayne and Jeff Goldblum that aired during major sports and awards broadcasts. Florance had previously estimated the campaign cost more than $1 billion.
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Yahoo
11 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Missouri Attorney General threatens legal action against 18 hemp companies; more to come
(Rebecca Rivas/The Missouri Independent) Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has sent several cease-and-desist letters to companies selling a hemp product called THCA flower that looks exactly like marijuana flower sold at dispensaries. Bailey's letters threaten legal action, including injunctions, civil penalties and attorney's fees if the companies continue to sell the products. 'When purchasing products, Missourians deserve to know if they are being exposed to dangerous side effects like psychotic episodes, hallucinations or other life-threatening risks,' said Attorney General Bailey in a statement to The Independent. 'We have issued 18 cease and desist letters so far, and more are forthcoming.' Cannabis lobbyist Eapen Thampy said about a dozen smoke shops in St. Louis received the letters, and in some cases, THCA flower makes up 60% to 80% of the companies' inventories. Thampy said he's working with the companies to put together a response to the letters and preparing for potential litigation. The action is the first major move since Bailey created a new specialized unit last fall, with the aim to assist the state's alcohol and tobacco regulators in cracking down on intoxicating hemp products. In September, Bailey vowed his new unit would work with the Missouri Alcohol and Tobacco Control Division to bring legal action against licensees selling unregulated psychoactive cannabis products that violate the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act. 'The ATC will assist by making its investigators available as witnesses for legal proceedings resulting from actionable referrals,' Bailey said in September. 'Our enforcement toolkit will be robust from cease-and-desist letters and investigations to subpoenas and lawsuits to referrals for criminal prosecution where appropriate.' The letters that went out last month state that the companies are 'directed to cease and desist from selling' hemp products that contain more than 0.3% THCA on a dry weight basis. THCA is a naturally abundant cannabinoid that transforms into Delta-9 THC when smoked or heated. However, this is not what an official cease and desist order looks like, said Jefferson City-based attorney Chuck Hatfield. 'It is an informal cease and desist,' Hatfield said. 'It is not a letter that has the force and effect of law. It's more in the nature of a request to stop.' Under state law, if Bailey wanted to issue an official cease and desist order – as he did for Planned Parenthood in March – Hatfield said Bailey would have to issue a notice of intent first. The company would have the right to appeal through an administrative hearing, as well as challenge the order in court. 'But he hasn't done any of that,' Hatfield said. Bailey could also file a lawsuit under Missouri Merchandising Practices Act, and that doesn't require a cease and desist order, he said. Charles Alovisetti, a cannabis attorney with Vincente law firm in Boston, said the lack of a state law to support the action could put Bailey in a tricky spot. 'If the goal is to control THCA flower sales, states should regulate hemp products in their final form, including THCA flower, through clear legislation,' Alovisetti wrote in a LinkedIn post. 'Letters like this may not hold up in court.' For the third year in a row, state lawmakers failed to pass legislation to regulate intoxicating hemp products by the end of the session in May. At issue in Bailey's letters is THCA, which is not intoxicating in its natural state. Most marijuana flower found in dispensaries contains about 20-40% THCA, which would not get a person high if they consumed it without heating it. It has to be smoked to transform it into Delta-9 THC, which produces the desired high for consumers. The process of heating is called decarboxylation. Legal action against THCA hemp flower raises a dizzying debate about distinction between hemp and marijuana under federal law. Cannabis attorney Rod Kight, who has represented hemp businesses in lawsuits nationwide, said Bailey's letter accurately states that the sole distinction between legal hemp and illegal marijuana is the concentration of delta-9 THC, which cannot exceed 0.3% for hemp. The part Bailey gets wrong, Kight said, is claiming that THCA is part of the calculation for determining whether harvested hemp or a hemp product is lawful. 'Given that Missouri law does not address THCA at all, it is clear that the attorney general is relying on recent letters from the DEA in support of its position that the concentration of THCA must be taken into account when determining the legal status of harvested hemp and hemp products,' Kight said. However, he said the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's interpretation has caused a lot of confusion. 'Hemp growers must account for THCA before harvesting their hemp crops,' Kight said. 'Thereafter, the THCA concentration does not matter under federal law or the laws of Missouri and the 'post-decarboxylation' test does not apply to harvested hemp or hemp products sold by wholesalers or retailers.' Since the 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp, botanists have figured out how to breed cannabis plants capable of passing the only federal checkpoint required on hemp plants — a visit from U.S. Department of Agriculture inspectors 30 days before harvest. At that point, the levels of Delta-9 THC and THCA are below the federal threshold, but both increase before being harvested 30 days later. Kight said he believes there's lots of marijuana flower sold in dispensaries that would probably meet this standard of hemp as well. It's a point that's being argued in court, he said. 'THCA is the most abundant cannabinoid that cannabis produces,' he said. 'If there's any cannabinoid that humans have truly ingested for thousands of years, it's THCA. The hemp industry is moving kind of back towards this more natural sort of state of affairs, and I'm very pleased with that.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Metsera Announces Positive Phase 1 Data of First-in-Class Once-Monthly Amylin Candidate MET-233i
Placebo-subtracted mean weight loss up to 8.4% at Day 36 19-day observed half-life supports once-monthly dosing as monotherapy and potential first-in-category monthly GLP-1 + Amylin combination Well-tolerated with no safety signals Company to host conference call and webcast today at 8:00 A.M. ET NEW YORK, June 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Metsera, Inc. (Nasdaq: MTSR), today announced positive topline data from the Phase 1 clinical trial of MET-233i, an ultra-long acting amylin analog engineered for class-leading durability, potency, and combinability with Metsera's fully-biased monthly GLP-1 receptor agonist candidate, MET-097i. In the study, MET-233i demonstrated up to 8.4% mean placebo-subtracted weight loss at Day 36, a 19-day observed half-life supporting once-monthly dosing, and a favorable tolerability profile with no safety signals. 'We are excited by these impressive results from MET-233i, which demonstrate exceptional efficacy with no safety signals, and enable the potential first monthly multi-NuSH combination,' said Steve Marso, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Metsera. 'We observed five-week body weight loss comparable to that of leading GLP-1-based medicines, and we identified efficacious starting doses with placebo-like tolerability. These data position MET-233i as a potential best-in-class amylin and support a category-leading profile in combination with MET-097i.' The randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind Phase 1 trial was designed to evaluate the pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety of subcutaneous MET-233i in 80 participants with overweight or obesity without type 2 diabetes. MET-233i was evaluated at single doses from 0.15 mg to 2.4 mg, and multiple doses from 0.15 mg to 1.2 mg given once weekly over five weeks without titration. The trial population was broadly balanced in gender between MET-233i and placebo and had a mean baseline body mass index of approximately 32. Topline results from the Phase 1 trial include: Dose-linear pharmacokinetics with an observed half-life of 19 days from dose to 50% of Cmax. This represents the most durable pharmacokinetic profile of any known amylin analog and supports the potential for once-monthly dosing with simplified titration. MET-233i's exposure profile after multiple doses matched that of MET-097i, supporting combinability as a potential first-in-category once-monthly multi-NuSH combination. These data further substantiate HALO™, Metsera's proprietary, novel peptide stabilization and lipidation platform technology. Body weight loss up to 8.4%. Body weight loss was dose-dependent, ranging up to a placebo-subtracted mean of 8.4% at Day 36 after five weekly doses of 1.2 mg, with individual responses as high as 10.2%. In the single ascending dose (SAD) portion of the trial, substantial weight loss was maintained more than four weeks after dosing, supported by the ultra-long pharmacokinetics observed for MET-233i. Favorable tolerability results. Gastrointestinal adverse events in the multiple ascending dose (MAD) portion of the trial were all mild, dose-dependent, and primarily confined to the first week of dosing, implying rapid onset of tolerance despite a three-fold accumulation of exposure over five weeks. Anticipated starting doses of 0.15 mg and 0.3 mg demonstrated tolerability results comparable to placebo in both the SAD and the MAD portions of the trial. No safety signals. There were no severe or serious adverse events observed in the SAD or MAD portion of the trial to date. 'Amylin agonism has emerged as a central therapeutic mechanism for metabolic diseases, but candidates in development have been limited to weekly dosing,' said Professor Carel le Roux, Director of the Metabolic Medicine Group and Chair in Experimental Pathology at University College Dublin. 'The durability and efficacy of MET-233i in this trial, along with its combinability with Metsera's GLP-1 RA, make it the potential first monthly multi-NuSH combination candidate for patients seeking greater levels of well-tolerated weight loss with a more convenient dosing schedule.'Next StepsBased on these positive topline data, Metsera is rapidly advancing MET-233i as a monotherapy and in combination with MET-097i: An ongoing monotherapy trial evaluates 12 weekly doses of MET-233i with dose titration, followed by an exposure-matched monthly dose at week 13. Topline data from this trial are expected in late 2025. Metsera has extended an ongoing co-administration trial of MET-233i and MET-097i to twelve weeks, with topline data expected by year-end 2025 or early 2026. The Company also expects to report topline clinical data from its ultra-long acting GIP receptor agonist, MET-034i, in combination with MET-097i, in late 2025. We anticipate that MET-034i will be the third peptide engineered with Metsera's HALO™ platform to enter clinical Call and Webcast InformationMetsera will host a conference call and webcast today, June 9, 2025, at 8:00 A.M. Eastern Time to discuss the Phase 1 clinical trial of MET-233i. A live webcast of the call and a replay will be available on the Events page in the Investors & News section of the Metsera website at To access the call by phone, participants should visit this link to receive dial-in details: About MET-233i MET-233i is an ultra-long acting, subcutaneously injectable monthly amylin analog engineered for class-leading durability, potency, and combinability in solution with Metsera's fully-biased, ultra-long acting GLP-1 RA candidate MET-097i, with matched solubility parameters and observed half-lives. MET-233i is being explored in clinical studies as a monotherapy and in combination with MET-097i. Metsera is developing the combination of MET-233i and MET-097i via the FDA biologic pathway with the intent to pursue the combination's regulatory approval in the United States under a Metsera's HALO™ peptide stabilization and lipidation platformHALO™ is Metsera's novel peptide stabilization and lipidation platform technology that enables peptides to bind simultaneously to albumin and to a drug target, designed to facilitate a half-life approaching that of albumin and exceeding that of other NuSH peptides. This ultra-long half-life may enable monthly dosing, improved tolerability, and improved Metsera, is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company accelerating the next generation of medicines for obesity and metabolic diseases. Metsera is advancing a broad portfolio of oral and injectable incretin, non-incretin and combination therapies with potential best-in-class profiles to address multiple therapeutic targets and meet the future needs of a rapidly evolving weight loss treatment landscape. Metsera was founded in 2022 and is based in New York City. For more information, please visit us at and follow us on LinkedIn and X. Metsera may use its website as a distribution channel of material information about the Company. Financial and other important information regarding the Company is routinely posted on and accessible through the Investors & News section of its website at In addition, you may sign up to automatically receive email alerts and other information about the Company by using the 'Email Alerts' option on the Investors & Media page and submitting your email address. Forward Looking StatementsThis press release includes 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements contained in this press release other than statements of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements related to the timelines, design and results of the Company's clinical trials and data releases; the Company's product candidate pipeline and milestone events; potential benefits of treatment with the Company's product candidates; and anticipated market opportunity and strategy. When used herein, words including 'anticipate,' 'believe,' 'can,' 'continue,' 'could,' 'designed,' 'estimate,' 'expect,' 'forecast,' 'goal,' 'intend,' 'may,' 'might,' 'plan,' 'possible,' 'potential,' 'predict,' 'project,' 'should,' 'target,' 'will,' 'would' and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, though not all forward-looking statements use these words or expressions. All forward-looking statements are based upon the Company's current expectations and various assumptions. The Company believes there is a reasonable basis for its expectations and beliefs, but they are inherently uncertain. The Company may not realize its expectations, and its beliefs may not prove correct. Actual results could differ materially from those described or implied by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including, without limitation, our limited operating history; our ability to generate revenue or become profitable; failure to obtain additional capital when needed on acceptable terms or at all; raising additional capital may cause dilution to our stockholders or require us to relinquish rights to our technologies or product candidates; our dependence on the success of our product candidates; risks associated with preclinical and clinical development; difficulties or delays in the commencement or completion, or the termination or suspension, of clinical trials; our ability to timely enroll patients in our clinical trials; if our current or future product candidates are associated with side effects, adverse events or other properties or safety risks; risks associated with the regulatory approval processes of the FDA and comparable foreign authorities; risks associated with conducting clinical trials and preclinical studies outside of the United States; our reliance on third parties to conduct clinical trials and preclinical studies; our reliance on third parties for the manufacture and shipping of our product candidates; risks associated with our license and collaboration agreements and future strategic alliances; significant competition in our industry; product candidates for which we intend to seek approval as biologic products may face competition sooner than anticipated; our success is dependent on our ability to attract and retain highly qualified management and other clinical and scientific personal; if we or our licensors are unable to obtain, maintain, defend and enforce patent or other intellectual property protection for our current or future product candidates or technology; risks associated with our common stock and the other important factors discussed under the caption 'Risk Factors' in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2025, which are accessible on the SEC's website at and the Investors section of the Company's website at Any such forward-looking statements represent management's estimates as of the date of this press release. While the Company may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, except as required by law, it disclaims any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause the Company's views to change. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company's views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Contact:Jono EmmettMetseramedia@
Chicago Tribune
24 minutes ago
- Chicago Tribune
Prime Healthcare cutting 100 jobs across its Illinois facilities, months after acquiring hospitals from Ascension
Prime Healthcare, which bought eight Illinois hospitals earlier this year, is eliminating more than 100 jobs, the hospital system confirmed Monday. Prime made most of the reductions Friday, and will continue cutting other jobs through July. 'As we continue to offer and create opportunities, we are also evaluating alignment with best practices and support from our national and regional teams,' Prime said in a statement. 'Through this process, there is a small number of positions that are duplicated or not aligned with the care model and service line offerings – most of them not directly providing patient care – that will be consolidated.' None of the affected jobs are union positions, according to Prime. Prime hired 13,000 workers from Ascension when it bought the hospitals from that health system, and has created nearly 1,000 new jobs since the acquisition. The job cuts represent less than 1% of the combined 14,000 employees, according to the statement. 'Importantly, these efforts will not affect the quality of care we deliver to the communities we serve and in fact will help expand best practices from across the nation,' Prime said in the statement. 'All decisions made at our Illinois facilities are guided by our mission to improve quality, strengthen care delivery, preserve access in underserved areas and ensure long-term sustainability.' The California-based Prime bought the Illinois hospitals for more than $370 million in March. Six of the hospitals sold to Prime changed from being nonprofit hospitals to for-profit hospitals as part of the sale. Hospitals that were sold include St. Mary's Hospital in Kankakee, Holy Family Medical Center in Des Plaines, Resurrection Medical Center in Chicago, St. Francis Hospital in Evanston, St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet, St. Joseph Hospital in Elgin, Mercy Medical Center in Aurora and St. Mary of Nazareth Hospital in Chicago. The job cuts are the latest in a string of changes Prime has made since closing the deal, drawing criticism from elected officials and a nurses' union. Prime announced in April that it planned to suspend inpatient pediatric care at St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet, saying at the time that the unit had been averaging less than one patient a day, while the need for other services such as advanced surgical, neurosurgical and spinal care had grown. The Illinois Nurses Association condemned the move arguing it would hurt the community, which only has one hospital. Also, Mercy Medical Center in Aurora lost its designation in April as a Level II trauma center. Prime also suspended obstetrical services at St. Mary's in Kankakee after the hospital's 'nearly sole obstetrics physician' retired, and because of low demand, Prime has said. Sen. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth sent a letter to Prime's chairman, founder and CEO Dr. Prem Reddy, in May expressing concern about those changes and asking Prime to elaborate on the reasons behind them and its future plans for the hospitals. Prime responded to that letter last week, emphasizing its mission of turning around struggling community hospitals across the country. Prime said that before it bought the hospitals in Illinois they were losing about $200 million a year. Prime said maintaining services with low patient demand is not sustainable, nor good for the quality of care. Prime also told the senators it plans to expand behavioral health care services for seniors at its Illinois facilities. In its statement Monday, Prime said it has started fulfilling a previously stated commitment to invest $250 million across the Illinois hospitals. Prime said those affected by the job cuts are invited to apply for any of the more than 900 open positions across its Illinois facilities. The job cuts were first reported by the Herald News.
