Norwegian author Ingvar Ambjørnsen dies at age 69
The Cappelen Damm publishing house did not specify the cause of death. Ambjørnsen had long been public with his battle against a lung illness called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD.
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13 hours ago
- Yahoo
Forget the treadmill! I tried Nordic walking every day for a week — and it challenged me in ways I didn't expect
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. From the viral trends of color walking and silent walking to the popular 5-2-4 Fartlek walking method, we've tested just about every walking workout going here at Tom's Guide. But Nordic walking — a technique that uses poles to turn a simple walk into a full-body workout — might just be one of the most intriguing yet. Often described as cross-country skiing without the snow, Nordic walking has been popular in parts of Europe for decades, especially in Scandinavia, where it's credited with boosting cardio fitness, improving posture, and reducing joint strain. As someone who loves low-impact exercise but still wants to feel results, I decided to pick up a pair of poles and give Nordic walking a go myself. After a week of daily Nordic walking, I noticed three key benefits that set it apart from a regular walk. It was more physically demanding than I expected — but in the best way. Here's what stood out. What is Nordic walking? Unlike the Japanese walking method, there's no interval training involved in Nordic walking. Originally developed in Finland as a way for cross-country skiers to stay fit in the off-season, Nordic walking involves walking with a pair of poles that help engage your upper body as you move. Rather than simply hiking with trekking poles, Nordic walking uses a specific motion: you plant the poles diagonally behind you and use them to help propel yourself forward with each step. It turns a regular walk into a full-body workout, activating the arms, shoulders, back and core, alongside your legs. In fact, research from the Cooper Institute suggests Nordic walking can burn between 20-46% more calories than normal walking at the same pace. It's also low-impact and joint-friendly, which makes it popular among people recovering from injury and older adults. That said, I don't fall into either of these categories, and I was still eager to give Nordic walking a go. I'm a pretty keen walker, and nothing quite helps me press the reset button — mentally as much as physically — like getting outside and moving my body. If Nordic walking is a way for me to scale up my daily walks so I can experience more of a cardio hit (and build strength to boot), then I'm all for it. After getting my hands on some poles (the OEX Ultralite Carbon Z Walking Poles from Go Outdoors, to be exact), I was only too eager to start the challenge. I live on the outskirts of a city, so while I'm close to public transport and pavement, I'm also lucky to have easy access to rural trails. But, once you get over the somewhat strange sensation of walking with poles, Nordic walking can be done pretty much anywhere — in parks, along sidewalks, or even in urban green spaces. Here are the three key benefits that stood out to me when trying Nordic walking. 1. My upper body *actually* got a workout I'll be honest — I didn't expect to feel this much in my arms. Upper body strength training is a key focus for me at the gym, so I (naively) assumed that I wouldn't find Nordic walking to be too challenging. I was wrong. From day one, I could feel my triceps and shoulders working as I pushed back with the poles. Nordic walking isn't just about holding the poles — it's about using them to propel yourself forward, which means your arms, back, chest, and even your core get involved. It felt a bit awkward at first, but once I found the rhythm, I could feel the difference. On a couple of mornings, I noticed some muscle fatigue in my upper body after finishing my walk — the kind of gentle soreness that tells you you've worked, but without the strain. It was a nice reminder that walking doesn't always have to be lower-body dominant, and Nordic walking offers a way to engage your whole body without stepping into a gym. 2. It improved my posture and walking form Once I got the hang of coordinating the poles with my stride, I started to notice how much better I was walking — not just during the workout, but throughout the day. Nordic walking forces you to stand tall, engage your core, and use a longer, more deliberate stride. I found myself naturally correcting my slouch and lifting through my chest to get the full benefit of the movement. As someone who swears by anti-desk exercises to keep my posture in check, I was pleasantly surprised. And because the poles help distribute your weight and provide support, I was also landing more evenly through my feet, rather than collapsing into my hips (something I tend to do when I'm tired). It was like getting a gentle reminder with every step to move with intention. 3. It was more mindful than I expected I went into this challenge thinking Nordic walking would be purely physical — a brisker version of my usual walk with the added bonus of some arm work. But what surprised me most was how mentally engaging it was. Because you're coordinating your arm swings with each step, there's a rhythm to it that demands focus, especially at the start. Without realizing it, I was paying more attention to my body — how I was moving, how upright I felt, where I was planting my feet. I wasn't scrolling on my phone or half-listening to a podcast. Being this present meant that by the end of each walk, I felt significantly calmer (which is no easy feat for someone with diagnosed ADHD). I'm yet to try walking yoga, so I'm not able to draw a direct comparison — but I can say that Nordic walking is a surprisingly effective way to feel more grounded. I tried Nordic walking every day for a week — my verdict Nordic walking was a lot more dynamic than I'd expected. It challenged my body in new ways, especially my upper body, and made me think more intentionally about how I move. I probably won't swap all my walks for pole-assisted ones, but I can definitely see the appeal — especially for people looking for low-impact, full-body cardio that's also friendly on the joints. If you've got access to walking poles (or want to invest in a pair), and you're looking for a way to shake up your current walking routine, what've you got to lose? Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button. More from Tom's Guide I followed the Japanese walking method for 30 days — here's what happened to my back pain and energy levels Forget running — 3 walking workouts that build lower body strength and burn calories Forget 10,000 steps — I tried 'rucking' instead of regular walking for one week, and it's a game changer
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Yahoo
Is Novo Nordisk Stock a Buy, Sell, or Hold Before Q2 Earnings?
Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) is facing serious headwinds. After enjoying a strong run fueled by demand for its obesity treatments, the obesity drug pioneer is now under pressure from rising competition, particularly from Eli Lilly's (LLY) weight-loss drugs, as well as trial setbacks for its next-generation therapies. In fact, things took a sharp turn on July 29, when the company cut its full-year sales growth guidance for the second time in just three months and named a new CEO. The market response was swift and brutal, with NVO shares plunging over 21% in a single day. Now, with second-quarter earnings just around the corner on Aug. 6, does Novo Nordisk's recent plunge present a golden buying opportunity, or is it a clear signal to keep your distance? More News from Barchart Dear Nvidia Stock Fans, Mark Your Calendars for August 27 Options Traders Expected Palantir Stock's Tamest Earnings Reaction in a Year. Did They Get It Right? Tesla Gains on Elon Musk's New Pay Package. Is TSLA Stock a Buy? Our exclusive Barchart Brief newsletter is your FREE midday guide to what's moving stocks, sectors, and investor sentiment - delivered right when you need the info most. Subscribe today! About Novo Nordisk Stock Best known for its blockbuster weight-loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, Novo Nordisk is a global healthcare leader with a long-standing focus on chronic disease. Founded in 1923 and headquartered in Denmark, the company has built a strong foundation in diabetes care while expanding its reach into obesity and other severe health conditions. The company commands a market capitalization of about $217.9 billion. While Novo Nordisk has been a trailblazer in the obesity drug market, its stock has hit a rough patch. Softer demand for its blockbuster drugs, combined with intensifying competition in the weight-loss space, has taken a toll on investor sentiment. The stock has tumbled a staggering 66% from its 52-week high of $139.74 reached in August 2024, and it's currently down 44.7% year-to-date (YTD). In stark contrast, the broader S&P 500 Index ($SPX) has managed to notch a gain of approximately 7.1% over the same period, while its rival Eli Lilly has seen only a marginal drop so far this year, highlighting just how far Novo has fallen out of favor with the market. Given its underwhelming price action, Novo Nordisk stock is starting to look like a value play. Currently trading at just 12.5 times forward earnings, it's priced well below the sector median of 16.87x, and dramatically lower than its own five-year average of 30.92x. Novo Nordisk's Q1 Earnings Snapshot In early May, Novo Nordisk posted a solid first-quarter earnings report for fiscal 2025, but the shine was dulled by a cautious outlook. Total revenue climbed 19% year-over-year (YOY) to 78.1 billion Danish kroner, powered by a massive 85% surge in Wegovy sales, which hit 17.4 billion Danish kroner. Ozempic also continued to perform, with sales rising 18% to 32.7 billion Danish kroner. Profits also impressed, with net profit climbing 14% to 29 billion Danish kroner, while operating profit increased 22% to 38.8 billion Danish kroner. But despite these promising numbers, Novo trimmed its full-year sales growth and operating profit growth guidance, citing 'lower-than-planned penetration of branded GLP-1 treatments in the US.' The company pointed to the growing presence of U.S. compounding pharmacies, which have been legally producing copycat versions of Wegovy and Ozempic under an FDA-approved exemption for addressing drug shortages. That growing parallel market has begun to chip away at Novo's momentum. On a more promising note, the company completed its REDEFINE 2 trial during the quarter, with its next-generation drug CagriSema delivering an impressive 15.7% weight loss in patients with obesity or overweight conditions and type 2 diabetes. Novo plans to file for its first regulatory approval in early 2026, potentially marking the next significant chapter in its obesity pipeline. Novo Nordisk Slashes Guidance Again and Names New CEO On July 29, Novo Nordisk held a conference call that left investors rattled, as it unveiled major leadership changes and another sharp downgrade to its 2025 financial outlook. The company slashed its full-year sales growth guidance to 8%-14%, down from the previously expected 13%-21%. Operating profit growth was also revised lower, now projected at 10%-16% compared to May's forecast of 16%-24%. The revised outlook sent a strong signal that Novo is bracing for a more challenging year ahead. A big part of the pressure comes from its obesity blockbuster, Wegovy. In its update, Novo pointed to several headwinds weighing on U.S. sales, including the continued rise of compounded GLP-1 knockoffs, slower-than-expected market expansion, and increasing competition. These challenges have clouded the outlook for one of Novo's key growth drivers, sparking concerns about whether the company can maintain its dominance in the rapidly growing weight-loss market. Adding to the uncertainty, Novo also announced a leadership shake-up. Maziar Mike Doustdar, the current EVP of international operations, will take over as CEO on Aug. 7, succeeding Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen, whose surprise resignation was announced in May. The transition comes at a pivotal moment, with the company under pressure to protect market share and reignite growth amid shifting dynamics in the obesity drug landscape. What Do Analysts Think About Novo Nordisk Stock? Despite all the swirling uncertainty, there's still a hint of optimism in the air. With Novo Nordisk set to unveil its Q2 earnings on Aug. 6 and a new CEO stepping in shortly after, Wall Street hasn't lost faith, with analysts leaning cautiously bullish, giving the stock a consensus rating of 'Moderate Buy' overall. Of the 19 analysts offering recommendations, seven advise a 'Strong Buy,' nine suggest a 'Hold,' one advocates a 'Moderate Sell,' and the remaining two maintain a 'Strong Sell.' NVO's average analyst price target of $71.75 suggests 47% potential upside from current levels. However, the Street-high target of $112 implies that shares can rally as much as 129.5% from current price levels. On the date of publication, Anushka Mukherji did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Upstream Bio Reports Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results and Highlights Continued Progress
– On track to report top-line data from Phase 2 trial in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) in the third quarter of 2025 – – Completed enrollment in Phase 2 trial in severe asthma in June 2025; top-line data expected in the first quarter of 2026 – – First patient dosed in Phase 2 trial in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in July 2025 – WALTHAM, Mass., Aug. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Upstream Bio, Inc. (Nasdaq: UPB), a clinical-stage company developing treatments for inflammatory diseases, with an initial focus on severe respiratory disorders, today reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025, and provided a summary of recent business highlights. The Company is developing verekitug, the only monoclonal antibody currently in clinical development that targets and inhibits the thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) receptor, in multiple severe respiratory diseases including CRSwNP, severe asthma, and COPD. Verekitug's unique pharmacology may lead to differentiated efficacy and an extended dosing interval as compared to the current standard of care. 'We continued to build momentum this quarter with strong execution across our clinical development programs for verekitug in severe respiratory diseases,' said Rand Sutherland, MD, Chief Executive Officer of Upstream Bio. 'Notably, in June, we completed enrollment in our Phase 2 trial in severe asthma, with top-line data expected in the first quarter of 2026. We also initiated our Phase 2 trial in COPD in July, marking the start of development in a third major respiratory indication. Additionally, we remain on track to report top-line results from our Phase 2 trial in CRSwNP in the third quarter of this year.' 'Our development efforts are centered on severe forms of common respiratory diseases where we see significant potential for clinical impact and commercial opportunity,' Dr. Sutherland continued. 'We believe verekitug's differentiated mechanism and extended dosing profile may offer meaningful advantages over biologics currently used to treat these diseases. Our upcoming readouts in CRSwNP and severe asthma represent key program milestones and an opportunity to further demonstrate the potentially unique profile of TSLP receptor inhibition across multiple inflammatory airway diseases.' Upcoming Milestones and Recent Business Highlights Two key upcoming top-line readouts: Top-line data from the VIBRANT Phase 2 trial in patients with CRSwNP expected in the third quarter of 2025: VIBRANT is a Phase 2 global, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group clinical trial designed to assess the efficacy and safety of verekitug in participants with CRSwNP, dosed every 12 weeks. Patient enrollment for VIBRANT was completed in January 2025. The Company has designed this trial using endpoints that, pending interactions with regulatory authorities, could produce data to support submissions for product approval. Top-line data from the VALIANT Phase 2 trial in patients with severe asthma, expected in the first quarter of 2026: VALIANT is a Phase 2 global, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group clinical trial designed to assess the efficacy and safety of verekitug in participants with severe asthma in extended dosing interval arms of 12 and 24 weeks. Patient enrollment for VALIANT was completed in June 2025. The Company has designed this trial using endpoints that, pending interactions with regulatory authorities, could produce data to support submissions for product approval. Program progress: Entered third major respiratory indication with first patient dosed in the VENTURE Phase 2 clinical trial in patients with COPD in July 2025: VENTURE is a Phase 2 global, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group clinical trial designed to assess the efficacy and safety of verekitug in participants with moderate-to-severe COPD in extended dosing interval arms of 12 and 24 weeks. The Company has designed this trial using endpoints that, pending interactions with regulatory authorities, could produce data to support submissions for product approval. Initiated long term extension study (LTE) in severe asthma in May 2025: VALOUR, a Phase 2 LTE, was initiated in eligible participants with severe asthma who have completed the VALIANT Phase 2 trial. Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results As of June 30, 2025, Upstream Bio had cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $393.6 million, which is expected to fund planned operations through 2027. Research and development expenses were $37.9 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, compared to $14.1 million for the same period in 2024. The increase of $23.8 million was primarily driven by an increase in clinical and manufacturing expenses related to the Company's verekitug programs. General and administrative expenses were $7.4 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, compared to $4.0 million for the same period in 2024. The increase of $3.4 million was primarily driven by an increase in personnel-related expenses, including share-based compensation, and professional service fees. Net loss was $40.0 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, compared to a net loss of $14.7 million for the same period in 2024. The increase of $25.3 million was largely due to increased research and development and general and administrative expenses, partially offset by increased interest income. Upcoming Events Upstream Bio expects to participate in the following investor conferences and medical congresses: Stifel Virtual Immunology and Inflammation Forum, September 15–16, 2025 European Respiratory Society, September 27–October 1, 2025, Amsterdam, Netherlands 2025 Truist Securities Biopharma Symposium, November 6, 2025, New York, NY About Upstream BioUpstream Bio is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing treatments for inflammatory diseases, with an initial focus on severe respiratory disorders. The Company is developing verekitug, the only known antagonist currently in clinical development that targets the receptor for thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), a cytokine which is a clinically validated driver of inflammatory response positioned upstream of multiple signaling cascades that affect a variety of immune mediated diseases. The Company has advanced this highly potent monoclonal antibody into separate Phase 2 trials for the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), severe asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Upstream Bio's team is committed to maximizing verekitug's unique attributes to address the substantial unmet needs for patients underserved by today's standard of care. To learn more, please visit Upstream Bio intends to use the investor relations page on its website as a means of disclosing material nonpublic information and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor its website in addition to following press releases, filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), public conference calls, presentations and webcasts. Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each as amended. These statements may be identified by words such as 'aims,' 'anticipates,' 'believes,' 'continue,' 'could,' 'estimates,' 'expects,' 'forecasts,' 'goal,' 'intends,' 'may,' 'plans,' 'possible,' 'potential,' 'predict,' 'project,' 'seeks,' 'should,' 'target,' 'will' and variations of these words or similar expressions. Any statements in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, express or implied statements regarding: the clinical development of verekitug for the treatment of severe asthma, CRSwNP and COPD, including the timing, progress and results of ongoing and planned clinical trials; expectations for future discussions with regulatory authorities and the potential of the endpoints of the Company's clinical trials to produce data that could support submissions for product approval; expectations regarding the differentiation, safety, efficacy, tolerability, or extended dosing interval of verekitug; Upstream Bio's expected operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements, including its cash runway through 2027; and participation at upcoming investor conferences and medical congresses. Any forward-looking statements in this press release are based on the Company's 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. Readers are cautioned that actual results, levels of activity, safety, efficacy, performance or events and circumstances could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the Company's forward-looking statements due to a variety of risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties related to: Upstream Bio's ability to advance verekitug through clinical development, and to obtain regulatory approval of and ultimately commercialize verekitug on the expected timeline, if at all; the initiation, timing, progress and results of clinical trials; Upstream Bio's ability to fund its development activities and achieve development goals; Upstream Bio's dependence on third parties to conduct clinical trials and manufacture verekitug, and commercialize verekitug, if approved; Upstream Bio's ability to attract, hire and retain key personnel, and protect its intellectual property; Upstream Bio's financial condition and need for substantial additional funds in order to complete development activities and commercialize verekitug, if approved; regulatory developments and approval processes of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and comparable foreign regulatory authorities; Upstream Bio's competitors and industry; and other risks and uncertainties described in greater detail under the caption 'Risk Factors' in Upstream Bio's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as well as any subsequent filings with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements represent Upstream Bio's views only as of today and should not be relied upon as representing its views as of any subsequent date. Upstream Bio explicitly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in its expectations or any changes in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based except to the extent required by law, and claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of and Media Contact:Meggan BuckwellDirector, Corporate Communications and Investor Relationsir@ BIO, CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET(IN THOUSANDS)(UNAUDITED) June 30, December 31, 2025 2024 Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 45,458 $ 325,892 Short-term investments 348,123 144,559 Accounts receivable 937 613 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 23,754 8,096 Total current assets 418,272 479,160 Property and equipment, net 544 582 Operating lease right-of-use assets 1,511 1,783 Restricted cash 194 194 Total assets $ 420,521 $ 481,719 Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 2,551 $ 4,041 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 7,666 5,992 Operating lease liabilities, current portion 712 704 Total current liabilities 10,929 10,737 Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion 849 1,130 Total liabilities 11,778 11,867 Stockholders' equity: Common stock 54 53 Additional paid-in capital 666,447 660,604 Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) 258 (25 ) Accumulated deficit (258,016 ) (190,780 ) Total stockholders' equity 408,743 469,852 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 420,521 $ 481,719 UPSTREAM BIO, CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS(IN THOUSANDS)(UNAUDITED) Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 2024 2025 2024 Collaboration revenue $ 937 $ 510 $ 1,503 $ 1,150 Operating expenses: Research and development 37,865 14,069 63,662 25,760 General and administrative 7,419 3,981 14,201 7,943 Total operating expenses 45,284 18,050 77,863 33,703 Loss from operations (44,347 ) (17,540 ) (76,360 ) (32,553 ) Other income (expense): Change in fair value of preferred stock tranche right liability — — — 2,859 Interest income 4,431 2,877 9,174 4,143 Other expense, net (50 ) (15 ) (50 ) (21 ) Total other income, net 4,381 2,862 9,124 6,981 Net loss $ (39,966 ) $ (14,678 ) $ (67,236 ) $ (25,572 )Sign in to access your portfolio
