Latest news with #DOXA
National Observer
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- National Observer
MOVIES: Surprise! There's a very good movie from Marvel this week
Documentaries are big generally these days and in Canada right now specifically as two big festivals overlap. Hot Docs in Toronto is close to winding up this year's run, while DOXA in Vancouver has just started. At Hot Docs you can still catch repeats of the films that were the most popular with the audience, including: Ai Weiwei's reworking of the opera Turandot, Marriage Cops who settle domestic disputes in India, The Last Ambassador who advocates for Afghani woman, Come See Me in the Good Light about one woman dealing with terminal cancer and How Deep Is Your Love (for your planet you might say) as scientists find and study new species in the oceans and worry about deep-sea mining. For DOXA you can see what's playing and when by going here: Bonjour Tristesse: 3 Nechako: 4 Mr. Nobody Against Putin: 3 ½ The Shrouds: 2 ½ THUNDERBOLTS*: That asterisk in the title actually means something. Stick around through the end credits for a clue and watch the entire film for a very enjoyable return to what Marvel movies used to be like. They've gotten repetitive over the years, understandably so because this is the 36 th of them. But this is fresh and breathes new life in several ways. There's a big focus on interpersonal relationships this time. A rag tag group of characters gathered from previous movies and TV off-shoots have to learn to ditch their differences and work together. Not unusual, but they do it with humor and struggle. Character building is deeper than usual. They have regrets over what they've done before, particularly Yelena who was trained as an assassin. She's played by Florence Pugh in a standout performance and even a grand bit of stunt work. That's really her in the opening scene dropping off the second-tallest building on earth. She survives and joins up with these Marvel characters: Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko), John Walker (Wyatt Russell), Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) and her dad Red Guardian (David Harbour) because Valentina, played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, is trying to kill them all. They had worked for her at some point and she has to eliminate evidence to save her job as CIA director. Congress is trying to impeach her because of a secret research business she runs on the side. With her help she figures the characters will just kill each other, except for one extra who shows up ('I'm just Bob') and will turn out to be a key part of the story. He's played by Lewis Pullman and is the focus of a lot of humor as the others try to figure out who this nobody is and why he's there. The story moves along briskly under the direction of Jake Schreier who is a former musician and has directed music videos. There's action, as you'd expect, but not as frequent as before and the story gets room to develop. A couple of giant set pieces are thrilling though, notably a smash-and-crash street scene involving a hammerhead crane, a helicopter, trucks and cars and people running. As a film it's more credible than the usual at Marvel: some bad guy trying to destroy the world or even the universe. (In theaters) 4 out of 5 BONJOUR TRISTESSE: A popular French novel in 1954, a Hollywood movie in 1958, it's back, as evocative as ever but maybe gentler than you might expect. Growing up and coming of age stories are often edgier these days. This one plays relatively easily in the sun and beauty of the south of France while touching on some tough subjects, competition between women being one, alongside the main regard, the maturing of one young woman and her world view. Françoise Sagan was only 18 when she wrote the novel and her view of things struck a chord. Canadian director Durga Chew-Bose depicts it well without modernizing it to give it more edge. You may wish it were harder in tone, although Sagan's own son has endorsed it as true to her vision. Lily McInerny plays Cécile who comes to spend the summer with her father played by Claes Bang. He's a widower but hardly gloomy. His latest lover (Nailia Harzoune) is there with him and two things bring friction into this sunny life. First is the arrival of an old friend of his (Chloë Sevigny), a designer of stylish clothes and therefore a classy individual. She works to maneuver his lover aside but Cécile feels she's displacing her too. She takes up with a boy who lives nearby, who not only seduces her but has eyes on dad's lover too. Cécile acts out, through her mischievous nature and newly-recognized selfish streak. Quite a summer and a keen study of one young woman in this Canada/Germany co-production filmed in France. As one woman says of her 'She is imagining what she looks like to us as practice for when she wants to be seen.' (Select theaters) 3 out of 5 Two documentaries ... NECHAKO: IT WILL BE A BIG RIVER AGAIN: Here's another fine example of the films coming along these days about Indigenous issues here in Canada, by Indigenous filmmakers. Lyana Patrick is from the Stellat'en First Nation (which is about in the middle of British Columbia). She lives in Vancouver but went back to document the long fight that has gone on about the Nechako River. It has been her peoples' main source of food (salmon) but an aluminum smelter built over near the Pacific Coast harmed it immensely. Its flow was reversed in part to supply a power dam. 'Wasteland' was turned 'into an industrial empire' says a newsreel clip. The people saw it differently. Water was severely reduced where the salmon bred and their numbers plummeted. Land elsewhere flooded, roads were built and other industries moved in. One person in the film described the 'cumulative effect of all this progress' as 'heaping evil on top of evil.' But they couldn't go to court to fight the company, Rio Tinto Aluminium, now Rio Tinto Alcan. In the 1950s it was illegal for them to hire a lawyer and sue. Recently they did get to court. They argued how important the river is to them. As one person in the film says 'Our people were the healthiest, the strongest the most resilient.' They wanted the water restored because as we can see in the film a lot of the salmon grounds are now dry and wildlife trails have been broken up. The court said don't blame the company; two levels of government let them do it. That was appealed and there's a tense scene as people wait to hear the result. In their mind, the case is still not over. We hear much about their pride and resolve. 'We survive everything and come back home,' says one in this very well-made film. (DOXA Film Festival) 4 out of 5 MR. NOBODY AGAINST PUTIN: Here's a nervy but also very informative look inside Russia and tangentially at the effects there of Mr. Putin's war on Ukraine. Officially it's a 'special military operation' remember. Schools were ordered to refer it that way and to indoctrinate the children with official information about it. That Ukraine is run by radicals, nationalists and neo-Nazis. That Crimea 'joined' Russia willingly. And so on. Teachers were ordered in a 'New Federal Patriotic Education Policy' to have the children sing songs, write poems and send letters to support the war. 'Commanders don't win wars,' we see Putin say. 'Teachers win wars.' Not so, says Pasha, a teacher in the industrially-scarred city of Karabash. It's been named as one of the most toxic places on earth but that's not the key thing here: it's Pasha's need to fight back against the intrusion on his freedom to teach. He starts photographing all on his cell phone, including cute children reciting propaganda, marching patriotically and singing loudly. Then when more young men are called up, their training and even hair cuts. And his own thoughts spoken right into the camera: that Putin's war is not for Communism but for his own power. And to the young recruits he recalls national heroes and says 'maybe one day you can be a dead soldier too.' We get his passion, a good view of how the regime exerts power and how Pasha's material got out. It's a Danish-Czech co-production directed by David Borenstein and won a big award at the Sundance Film Festival. Here, it's at both DOXA and Hot Docs. 3½ out of 5 THE SHROUDS: Here's a very odd take on the subject of grief. It's from David Cronenberg, one of our most celebrated filmmakers, and was apparently driven by his grief over the loss of his wife. But what a weird response it is. A businessman played by Vincent Cassel invents a video system that allows a person to look inside a grave and still feel close to a lost loved one. You check in now and then and see the stages of the body's decomposition. The cemetery has terminals across its whole area. Cassell's wife is played by Diane Kruger and thankfully we see much more of her alive in flashbacks than decaying in her grave. Still the idea is creepy. It reminds of a similar technology imagined by Cronenberg in his early film Videodrome but here he holds back the body horror excess he's known for and concentrates on grief. Kruger also plays a sister and Guy Pearce plays a computer hacker. The film drifts off-topic into conspiracy and ecology matters thereby creating a jumbled narrative. It plays very slowly and lets your mind wander. To him it's personal. Not, I imagine, to a lot of people. (In theaters, for a week already) 2 ½ out of 5
Vancouver Sun
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Vancouver Sun
5 features to watch at this year's DOXA documentary film festival
Article content In a world full of siloed mentalities, the need for content that expands our view is more important than ever. Article content Here in Vancouver, the long-running DOXA Documentary Film Festival, on May 1-11, sets out to offer a wide range of viewpoints. This year's festival slate includes 39 feature films and 30 shorts and mid-length films representing 30-plus countries. There are 28 Canadian films in the program, 13 of which are features. Of the total films, 11 are world premieres, six are North American premieres and five are Canadian premieres. Article content Article content 'We just turn on our TV, and it looks like we're in a time (where) media and larger forms of information is just coming from zones of power and money,' said Marianne Thodas, programming and industry manager for DOXA. Article content Article content 'Whoever has money has the ability to kind of transfer media. Something that's nice about our documentary festival is that we're able to intersect that zone and that way of information and highlight smaller stories, highlight local stories, highlight zones that have less money, but are still political stories that deserve to be heard. Article content ' Documentary festivals are really important right now. It's a way for people to get information that they don't normally have access to,' added Thodas. Article content 'I think our times, and what has happened in the last couple of months, have showed us that resistance and resilience is something that should always guide us because nothing that we are gaining, in terms of social rights or in terms of rights for minorities, is ever secured,' said Arnaud Menindes, DOXA's managing director. Article content Article content One of the films that fits this theme is B.C. filmmaker Lyana Patrick's Nechako: It Will be a Big River Again. Making its world premiere at DOXA, Nechako follows the Sai'kuz and Stellat'en First Nations as they fight to bring back the Nechako River after its damming 70 years ago. Article content Article content Article content Completed in 1954, the Kenney Dam created the Nechako reservoir and power for Rio Tinto's smelter in Kitimat. Seventy per cent of the Nechako River was diverted into the reservoir, severely impacting the lives of local First Nations who rely on the Nechako watershed for fishing and sustenance. For decades, First Nations in the area have been engaged in resistance and legal actions against the Canadian federal and provincial governments and Rio Tinto Alcan. Article content Part of DOXA's Justice Forum programming, Nechako: It Will Be a Big River Again has two screenings. First up is May 5 at 2 p.m. at SFU's Djavad Mowafaghian World Art Centre. After this screening there will be a presentation with the director and First Nations members. The film will be screened again on May 3 at 5 p.m. at the VIFF Centre.
CBC
08-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
CBC proudly partners with DOXA for 11 days of bold documentary cinema
CBC is proud to return as media partner of the 2025 DOXA Documentary Film Festival, screening in Vancouver theatres from May 1-11. DOXA is Western Canada's largest documentary film festival and this year is celebrating its 24th edition with 11 days of over 65 films including shorts, features, mid-lengths, world premieres and special presentations from across Canada and around the world. Catch CBC's North by Northwest host Margaret Gallagher at the festival's opening night presentation of Elizabeth Vibert and Chen Wang's Aisha's Story, screening on May 1 at The Vancouver Playhouse. This year, don't miss DOXA's inaugural paraDOXA program, highlighting experimental films that push the boundaries of documentary form – including the Canadian premiere of To Use a Mountain.
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
NLS Pharmaceutics and Kadimastem Unveil Multi-Target Approach to Diabetes, Expanding Beyond GLP-1 Therapies
Revolutionizing Diabetes Treatment: Introduction of cutting-edge, multi-targeted innovation to transform diabetes care. Diabetes more than just a Metabolic Disorder: Diabetes is a multi-systemic disease impacting the central nervous system (CNS), immune function, and cellular metabolism. Powerful Merger Synergies: Uniting the core competencies of both organizations in order to create a holistic solution for comprehensive diabetes management. ZURICH and NESS ZIONA, Israel, Feb. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- NLS Pharmaceutics Ltd. ("NLS") (Nasdaq: NLSP), a Swiss clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of innovative therapies for rare and complex central nervous system disorders, and Kadimastem Ltd. ("Kadimastem") (TASE: KDST), a clinical-stage cell therapy company developing and manufacturing "off-the-shelf" allogeneic cell products for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and potential cure for diabetes, are on a mission to create a leading biotechnology entity. The upcoming expected merger aims to transform the treatment landscape for complex conditions such as diabetes. By uniting the core competencies of both organizations, NLS and Kadimastem believe that this merger is positioned to potentially create a holistic solution that addresses the multifaceted challenges of diabetes management. While GLP-1 receptor agonists have brought significant progress in diabetes care, they do not fully address the systemic and neurological complications of the disease. Their focus on glucose control and weight loss overlooks key factors such as neuroinflammation, circadian rhythm disruptions, and metabolic resilience. Furthermore, tolerance issues, gastrointestinal side effects, and long-term safety concerns underscore the need for alternative and complementary therapeutic strategies. Diabetes is more than a metabolic disorder—it is a multi-systemic disease affecting the central nervous system (CNS), immune function, and cellular metabolism. A growing body of research highlights the connection between diabetes, neurodegeneration, and sleep disorders, collectively known as Diabetes-Associated Neurological and Sleep Disorders (DANS). Addressing these complex interactions requires a paradigm shift toward multi-target therapeutic strategies. Introducing DOXA: A Multi-Target Innovation for Diabetes NLS is pioneering DOXA (Dual Orexin and Multi-Pathway Modulation), a next-generation therapeutic approach integrating orexin receptor agonism, neuroprotective pathways, and metabolic regulation to holistically manage diabetes and its systemic complications. Unlike conventional approaches that primarily target incretin signaling, DOXA leverages multi-target mechanisms to synchronize metabolic and neurological pathways by acting on: Orexin Signaling (OX1R/OX2R): Aiming to restore energy balance, cognitive function, and metabolic stability, counteracting diabetes-related fatigue and neurodegeneration. Sigma-1 Receptor (Sig-1R) Modulation: Aiming to reduce oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and insulin resistance, critical factors in diabetes complications. Cathepsin Inhibition (CTSS/CTSL): Aiming to protect neuronal integrity and β-cell survival, crucial for long-term metabolic health. Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) Modulation: Aiming to improve glucose metabolism while reducing neuropathic and vascular damage. Adiponectin Receptor Activation: Aiming to enhance insulin sensitivity and mitochondrial function, addressing core metabolic dysfunctions. Scientific Momentum: Breakthrough Findings to Be Presented at ASCP 2025 Preclinical studies to be presented at the 2025 ASCP Annual Meeting demonstrate that DOXA compounds: Restore orexinergic function, improving metabolic balance and sleep-wake disturbances. Reduce inflammatory markers and neurodegeneration, preventing diabetes-induced neuronal damage. Enhance β-cell survival and glucose metabolism, positioning DOXA as a disease-modifying therapy rather than a glucose-dependent intervention. Beyond its individual potential, DOXA is expected to significantly outperform existing treatments when combined with Islet transplantation. By leveraging the ability of DOXA to enhance metabolic regulation and insulin sensitivity, the DOXA-Islet therapy combination is positioned to set a new standard in diabetes care. Positioning NLS Pharmaceutics and Kadimastem as Leaders in Diabetes Innovation The anticipated merger between NLS (Nasdaq: NLSP) and Kadimastem (TASE: KDST) is intended to bring together two complementary platform technologies—Kadimastem's expertise in cell therapy and NLS's leadership in pharmaceutical innovation. This strategic integration is expected to strengthen their position in the diabetes treatment landscape, offering a differentiated approach that combines regenerative medicine with novel pharmaceutical interventions. By leveraging synergies in neurodegenerative and metabolic disease research, the combined entity aims to position itself to drive innovation in diabetes and beyond, establishing itself as a key player in the evolving therapeutic space. A New Era in Diabetes Treatment While GLP-1 receptor agonists will continue to play a role in diabetes care, we do not believe that they alone cannot fully address the neurological and systemic complications of diabetes. The DOXA multi-target strategy presents a transformative, complementary approach, is aimed at tackling not just glucose regulation, but also neuroprotection, metabolic resilience, and long-term disease modification. As diabetes research advances, multi-target therapies are set to redefine the next generation of diabetes treatments. By integrating breakthroughs in sleep-wake regulation, neuroprotection, and metabolic health, NLS is aiming to pioneer a new era of diabetes care—one that offers comprehensive, long-lasting benefits for patients and new investment opportunities for the future. Dr Eric Konofal, M.D., PhD, Chief Scientific Officer of NLS and inventor behind DOXA: "I believe that this next-generation diabetes treatment must go beyond glucose control. While GLP-1 therapies address part of the problem, they fail to target the neurological and systemic disruptions linked to the disease, including Diabetes-Associated Neurological and Sleep Disorders (DANS). At NLS, our DOXA platform aims to integrate neuroscience, metabolism, and regenerative medicine. Combined with Islet transplantation, we anticipate a breakthrough—enhancing insulin sensitivity, metabolic regulation, and long-term disease modification." Alex Zwyer, Chief Executive Officer of NLS, "This planned merger represents a remarkable opportunity to combine our strengths and expertise. Together, believe that we will advance innovative solutions to better address the challenges of diabetes and related disorders, delivering enhanced value to patients." Ronen Twito, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Kadimastem, added, "We are thrilled about the upcoming merger, which aligns our strategic goals and is aimed at empowering us to provide comprehensive therapeutic options. By joining forces, we believe that we will be well-equipped to tackle the complexities of diabetes and improve outcomes for those we serve." The upcoming merger reflects a commitment to innovation, patient-centric care, and long-term value creation. As we move forward, NLS and Kadimastem are dedicated to ensuring a smooth integration process that maximizes the potential of both organizations—bringing together expertise, resources, and vision to improve the lives of patients impacted by diabetes and related conditions. Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains expressed or implied forward-looking statements pursuant to U.S. Federal securities laws. For example, NLS and Kadimastem are using forward-looking statements when they discuss the expected closing of the transaction and the potential benefits of the transaction to NLS and Kadimastem and their respective shareholders, including value creation for shareholders, the expected strategic position of the combined company following the merger, if completed and the expected benefits of DOXA in the treatment of diabetes. These forward-looking statements and their implications are based on the current expectations of the management of NLS and Kadimastem and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements: risks related to the companies' ability to complete the merger on the proposed terms and schedule, including risks and uncertainties related to the satisfaction of the closing conditions related to the merger agreement and risks and uncertainties related to the failure to timely, or at all, obtain shareholder approvals for the transaction; unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from the transaction and potential adverse reactions or changes to business relationships resulting from the announcement or completion of the merger; changes in technology and market requirements; either or both companies may encounter delays or obstacles in launching and/or successfully completing their clinical trials; the companies' products may not be approved by regulatory agencies; their technologies may not be validated as they progress and their methods may not be accepted by the scientific community; either of both of the companies may be unable to retain or attract key employees whose knowledge is essential to the development of their products; unforeseen scientific difficulties may develop with the products being advanced by the companies; their products may wind up being more expensive than anticipated; results in the laboratory may not translate to equally good results in real clinical settings; results of preclinical studies may not correlate with the results of human clinical trials; the companies' patents may not be sufficient; their products may harm recipients; changes in legislation may adversely impact either or both of the companies; inability to timely develop and introduce new technologies, products and applications; and loss of market share and pressure on pricing resulting from competition, which could cause the actual results or performance of candidate products to differ materially from those contemplated in such forward-looking statements. Except as otherwise required by law, neither Kadimastem nor NLS undertakes any obligation to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. More detailed information about the risks and uncertainties affecting NLS is contained under the heading "Risk Factors" in NLS's annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), which is available on the SEC's website, and in subsequent filings made by NLS with the SEC, including under the heading "Risk Factors" in NLS's registration statement on Form F-4, filed with the SEC on December 27, 2024. No Offer or Solicitation This communication is not intended to and shall not constitute an offer to buy or sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any securities, or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made, except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Additional Information about the Transaction and Where to Find It In connection with the proposed transaction, NLS has filed a Registration Statement on Form F-4, including a proxy statement/prospectus, with the SEC. NLS may also file other relevant documents with the SEC regarding the proposed transaction. This document is not a substitute for the proxy statement/prospectus or any other document that NLS may file with the SEC. The proxy statement (if and when available) will be mailed or delivered to shareholders of NLS and Kadimastem. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS THAT MAY BE FILED WITH THE SEC, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THESE DOCUMENTS, CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY IF AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN OR WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the proxy statement/prospectus (if and when available) and other documents containing important information about NLS and Kadimastem and the proposed transaction, once such documents are filed with the SEC through the website maintained by the SEC at Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by the Company will be available free of charge on NLS's website at Participants in the Solicitation NLS, Kadimastem, and certain of their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from NLS and Kadimastem shareholders in respect of the proposed transaction. Information about the directors and executive officers of NLS, including a description of their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, is set forth in NLS's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, which was filed with the SEC on May 15, 2024. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC regarding the proposed merger when such materials become available. Investors should read the proxy statement/prospectus carefully when it becomes available before making any voting or investment decisions. You may obtain free copies of these documents from NLS Pharmaceutics using the sources indicated above. NLS Contacts:InvestorRelations@ Kadimastem Contacts:Sarah Bazak, Investors Social Media: Social Media: LinkedIn, X, Facebook, Instagram View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Kadimastem Ltd.; NLS Pharmaceutics Ltd. Sign in to access your portfolio
