Experts in Chicago explore how community-based strategies can fight climate change
"This is about bringing people together from across sectors," said Greg Gershuny, who leads the energy and environment program at The Aspen Institute. "We could've done this for 80 straight days, and never run out of things to talk about."
Gershuny said the conversations happening at the conference this week could ultimately make some real changes — not only in the Chicago area, but across the country.
The conference began as a brand-new report, released Monday, reveals how communities can come together to reduce emissions contributing to climate change. For the first time, the report details how getting involved can make an impact — and how community-based strategies can significantly reduce emissions.
The new report, "Changing the Game: Community-based strategies and climate mitigation," was prepared by the Redstone Strategy Group for the MacArthur Foundation, the Marin Community Foundation, and the Equation Campaign.
Jorgen Thomsen, director of climate solutions for the MacArthur Foundation, was one of the experts behind the group. He said through the report and an analysis of projects across the country, they have found what they call community-based strategies — such as state and local legislation, renewable energy development, and decarbonization projects can lower emissions known to contribute to climate change.
Considering federal rollbacks in both regulations and funding — which are poised to impact the air we breathe — the experts said philanthropy can make a real difference.
Thery found for every single dollar spent on mitigation efforts, a metric ton of carbon dioxide can be reduced from the earth's atmosphere by 2030.
That metric ton of carbon dioxide is the same weight as about 400 bricks.
"You can actually have very significant return on investment by investing in communities and engaging communities," said Thomsen.
The work documented in the report takes a close look at projects in states such as California, Ohio and New York. CBS News Chicago asked about Gary, Indiana, where a CBS News Chicago investigation recently exposed significant levels of industrial pollution and a consequent health impact on residents — bringing in medical researchers studying the connection to cancer.
"That's the kind of dynamic we've been looking at in these other projects," said Thomsen, adding that Gary will be on the researchers' radar moving forward.
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Initiation of Phase II study of icovamenib in T2D patients currently uncontrolled on a GLP-1 based therapy in the second half of 2025. Preliminary data from the Phase II COVALENT-112 study in T1D anticipated in the second half of 2025. BMF-650 (Next-generation Oral Small Molecule GLP-1 RA for Obesity) Submission of the IND application for BMF-650 is planned for the second half of 2025. Phase I study initiation in obese, otherwise healthy volunteers anticipated by late 2025, pending regulatory clearance. Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash: As of June 30, 2025, the Company had cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash of $56.6 million. The Company expects its cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash to be sufficient to fund planned operating activities into the second half of 2026. Net Loss: The Company reported a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $20.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025, which included $2.6 million of stock-based compensation, compared to a net loss of $37.3 million for the same period in 2024, which included $4.8 million of stock-based compensation. Net loss attributable to common stockholders was $50.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025, which included $5.7 million of stock-based compensation, compared to a net loss of $76.3 million for the same period in 2024, which included $9.9 million of stock-based compensation. Research and Development (R&D) Expenses: R&D expenses were $16.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025, compared to $31.8 million for the same period in 2024. The decrease of approximately $15.3 million was primarily driven by a decrease of $9.1 million related to clinical activities, a decrease of $2.0 million related to preclinical and exploratory programs, a decrease of $0.1 million of manufacturing costs and a decrease of $0.2 million in other external costs related to consultants, advisors and other professional services to support our clinical studies. Personnel-related expenses decreased by $3.8 million, including stock-based compensation, due to a decrease in headcount. R&D expenses were $39.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025, compared to $65.6 million for the same period in 2024. The decrease of $26.1 million was primarily driven by a decrease of $16.4 million related to clinical activities, a decrease of $3.0 million related to preclinical and exploratory programs and a decrease of $1.9 million of manufacturing costs. This decrease in external costs was partially offset by an increase of $0.7 million in other external costs related to consultants, advisors and other professional services to support our clinical studies. Personnel-related expenses decreased by $5.5 million, including stock-based compensation, due to a decrease in headcount. General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses: G&A expenses were $4.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025, compared to $7.1 million for the same period in 2024. The decrease of $2.4 million is primarily driven by a decrease of $1.9 million related to personnel-related expenses, including stock-based compensation, due to a decrease in headcount and a decrease of $0.4 million related to professional and legal services. G&A expenses were $11.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025, compared to $14.4 million for the same period in 2024. The decrease of $2.8 million is primarily driven by a decrease of $2.9 million related to personnel-related expenses, including stock-based compensation, due to a decrease in headcount. About Biomea FusionBiomea Fusion is a clinical-stage diabetes and obesity medicines company focused on the development of its oral small molecules, icovamenib and BMF-650, both being developed to significantly improve the lives of patients with diabetes, obesity, and metabolic diseases. We aim to cure. Visit us at and follow us on LinkedIn, X and Facebook. Forward-Looking Statements Statements we make in this press release may include statements which are not historical facts and are considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 'Securities Act'), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the 'Exchange Act'). 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 such statements in this press release that are not statements of historical fact, including statements regarding the expected benefits resulting from the implementation of the cost saving measures and potential ability to fund key value drivers; clinical and therapeutic potential of our product candidates and development programs, including icovamenib, BMF-500, and BMF-650, the potential of icovamenib as a treatment for T1D and T2D, the potential of BMF-650 as a treatment for diabetes and obesity; our research, development and regulatory plans; the mechanism of action of our product candidates and development programs; the progress and initiation of our ongoing and upcoming clinical trials, including our Phase I/II COVALENT-111 study of icovamenib in T2D, our Phase II COVALENT-112 study of icovamenib in T1D, and our planned IND submission for the BMF-650 program; the anticipated availability of data from our clinical trials; our planned interactions with regulators, and the timing of such events; and our expected cash runway may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. We intend these forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act and are making this statement for purposes of complying with those safe harbor provisions. Any forward-looking statements in this press release are based on our current expectations, estimates and projections only as of the date of this release and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those set forth in or implied by such forward-looking statements, including the risk that preliminary or interim results of preclinical studies or clinical trials may not be predictive of future or final results in connection with future clinical trials and the risk that we may encounter delays in preclinical or clinical development, patient enrollment and in the initiation, conduct and completion of our ongoing and planned clinical trials and other research and development activities. These risks concerning Biomea Fusion's business and operations are described in additional detail in its periodic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ('SEC'), including its most recent periodic report filed with the SEC and subsequent filings thereafter. Biomea Fusion explicitly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except to the extent required by law. Contact: Meichiel Jennifer WeissSr. Director of Investor Relations and Corporate Development mweiss@ BIOMEA FUSION, INC. Condensed Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Loss (Unaudited) (in thousands, except share and per share data) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, 2025 2024 2025 2024 Operating expenses: Research and development (1) $ 16,566 $ 31,825 $ 39,463 $ 65,601 General and administrative (1) 4,710 7,073 11,525 14,356 Total operating expenses 21,276 38,898 50,988 79,957 Loss from operations (21,276 ) (38,898 ) (50,988 ) (79,957 ) Interest and other income, net 536 1,622 986 3,620 Net loss and comprehensive loss $ (20,740 ) $ (37,276 ) $ (50,002 ) $ (76,337 ) Net loss per common share, basic and diluted $ (0.51 ) $ (1.03 ) $ (1.29 ) $ (2.12 ) Weighted-average number of shares used to compute basic and diluted net loss per common share 40,630,403 36,043,561 38,639,834 35,966,965 (1) Includes stock-based compensation as follows (non-cash operating expenses): Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, 2025 2024 2025 2024 Research and development $ 1,568 $ 2,448 $ 3,488 $ 4,994 General and administrative 1,005 2,392 2,254 4,868 Total stock-based compensation expense $ 2,573 $ 4,840 $ 5,742 $ 9,862 BIOMEA FUSION, INC. Condensed Balance Sheet Data (Unaudited) (in thousands) June 30, December 31, 2025 2024 Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash $ 56,593 $ 58,648 Working capital 47,095 46,659 Total assets 73,163 79,938 Stockholders' equity 27,510 51,573
