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Yahoo
7 days ago
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Vera Therapeutics Announces Refinancing of Existing Oxford Debt Facility, Providing up to $500 Million of Term Loans
BRISBANE, Calif., June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vera Therapeutics, Inc. ('Vera'), a late clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing and commercializing transformative treatments for patients with serious immunological diseases, today announced that it has entered into a new credit facility providing for up to $500 million of term loans with its current partner Oxford Finance LLC ('Oxford'). The new credit facility will replace Vera's existing $50 million credit facility. The initial funding of the new credit facility will be in a principal amount of $75 million and is expected to occur on June 4, 2025. Highlights of the new credit facility include: Lowered Interest Rate: Reduced borrowing cost by 320 basis points based on current interest rates. The facility will mature five years from the closing date. Interest will be paid monthly at a rate per annum equal to 1-month SOFR plus 4.95%, subject to a SOFR floor of 3.75%. Increased Capital Availability: Added $450 million of discretionary incremental capacity available in five tranches. At its discretion, Vera may draw up to $50 million from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026, not subject to additional performance milestones. Vera has the option to draw $75 million upon accelerated approval of atacicept in immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN), two $50 million tranches post accelerated approval and subject to commercial milestones, and up to $200 million at the mutual discretion of Vera and Oxford. Improved Structure & Financial Flexibility: Extended the interest only period by up to 42 months and maturity by up to 41 months. As a result of this refinancing, Vera will no longer be required to make principal payments in 2026. The new facility also reduced prepayment and final-payment fees and, combined with the reduced interest rate, results in a cost-effective refinancing that significantly lowers Vera's cost of capital. 'We have crossed a significant Vera milestone with the primary endpoint results from the pivotal atacicept ORIGIN 3 trial; and given the data we presented earlier, we expect this to enable a BLA submission to the FDA in the fourth quarter of this year, which may allow for approval and commercial launch in 2026. If approved, we believe that atacicept has the potential to advance the standard of care in IgA nephropathy,' said Marshall Fordyce, M.D., Founder and CEO of Vera Therapeutics. 'The Vera team is well-positioned to build on the success of the lead atacicept development program in IgAN, with the expansion into additional potential indications in other autoimmune kidney diseases and beyond.' The refinancing significantly reduces interest expense and improves financial flexibility and access to capital as compared to the existing credit facility, with the new credit facility having more borrower-favorable terms overall than those under the existing credit facility. The refinancing enhances Vera's ability to generate cash and manage its capital structure efficiently while providing additional working capital flexibility to support commercial launch and strategic initiatives. 'Our partnership with Oxford over the past three years has been key to supporting Vera's growth and we are happy to continue this incredibly productive relationship,' said Sean Grant, Chief Financial Officer of Vera. 'We are also very pleased to be able to execute this non-dilutive transaction in today's market environment with Oxford. Through a competitive process, we secured favorable terms with our current lender, eliminated exit fees from the existing credit facility, and closed the refinancing in a very efficient manner.'A Form 8-K outlining the full terms of the new credit facility will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Armentum Partners acted as exclusive financial advisor to Vera. Latham and Watkins LLP served as legal advisor to Vera, and Manatt, Phelps and Phillip, LLP served as legal advisor to Oxford. About VeraVera Therapeutics, Inc. is a late clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing treatments for serious immunological diseases. Vera's mission is to advance treatments that target the source of immunological diseases in order to change the standard of care for patients. Vera's lead product candidate is atacicept, a fusion protein self-administered as a subcutaneous injection once weekly that blocks both B-cell Activating Factor (BAFF) and A PRoliferation-Inducing Ligand (APRIL), which stimulate B cells to produce autoantibodies contributing to certain autoimmune diseases, including IgAN and lupus nephritis. In addition, Vera is evaluating additional diseases where the reduction of autoantibodies by atacicept may prove medically useful. Vera also holds an exclusive license agreement with Stanford University for a novel, next generation fusion protein targeting BAFF and APRIL, known as VT-109, with wide therapeutic potential across the spectrum of B cell mediated diseases. Vera is also developing MAU868, a monoclonal antibody designed to neutralize infection with BK virus (BKV), a polyomavirus that can have devastating consequences in certain settings such as kidney transplant. Vera retains all global developmental and commercial rights to atacicept and MAU868. For more information, please visit Forward-looking StatementsStatements contained in this press release regarding matters, events or results that may occur in the future are 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include statements regarding, among other things, Vera's expectations regarding the credit facility and its impact on Vera's business and financial position, Vera's plans to submit a BLA to the FDA and receive FDA approval for atacicept in IgAN and launch it commercially, and, in each case, the timing thereof, atacicept's potential as a treatment for indications beyond IgAN, atacicept's potential to advance the standard of care in IgAN, if approved, and other statements that are not historical fact. Because such statements are subject to risk and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Words such as 'believe,' 'expect,' 'may,' 'plan,' 'potential,' 'will' and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon Vera's current expectations and involve assumptions that may never materialize or may prove to be incorrect. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation, risks related to the regulatory approval process, results of earlier clinical trials may not be obtained in later clinical trials, preliminary results may not be predictive of topline results, risks and uncertainties associated with Vera's business in general, the impact of macroeconomic and geopolitical events, and the other risks described in Vera's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made and are based on management's assumptions and estimates as of such date. Vera undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made, except as required by law. For more information, please contact: Investor Contact:Joyce AllaireLifeSci Advisors212-915-2569jallaire@ Media Contact:Debra CharlesworthVera Therapeutics415-854-8051corporatecommunications@ 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
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Vera Therapeutics Announces Atacicept Achieved 46% Proteinuria Reduction in ORIGIN Phase 3 Trial in Adults with IgA Nephropathy
Atacicept ORIGIN Phase 3 trial met the primary endpoint of reduction in proteinuria (UPCR) at week 36; participants receiving atacicept achieved a 46% reduction from baseline and 42% reduction compared to placebo at week 36 (p<0.0001) Other prespecified endpoints achieved similar or better results compared to the ORIGIN Phase 2b clinical trial — per FDA guidance, Vera is not sharing eGFR results at this time while the ORIGIN 3 placebo-controlled trial continues The safety profile of atacicept was favorable, and comparable to placebo Vera plans to meet with FDA in the coming weeks to discuss these results and the regulatory pathway; Vera currently plans to submit a Biologics License Application (BLA) for accelerated approval to the FDA in 4Q 2025; ORIGIN 3 trial continues with two-year results expected in 2027 Vera will host a conference call and webcast at 8:00 am ET on Monday, June 2 BRISBANE, Calif., June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vera Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: VERA) today announced that the primary endpoint was met in the ORIGIN Phase 3 trial of atacicept for the treatment of immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) in adults. Participants treated with atacicept achieved a 46% reduction from baseline in proteinuria as measured by 24-hour urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UPCR), with a statistically significant and clinically meaningful 42% reduction in UPCR compared to placebo (p<0.0001) at week 36. For other prespecified endpoints, atacicept treatment also demonstrated results that were consistent with or better than those previously observed in the ORIGIN Phase 2b trial.1 The safety profile of atacicept in this analysis was favorable, and comparable to placebo. Vera plans to share these results with the FDA in the coming weeks, and full results will be submitted to the American Society of Nephrology Kidney Week. 'ORIGIN 3 is the first Phase 3 clinical trial in IgAN to demonstrate this magnitude of UPCR reduction compared to placebo at week 36. These results convincingly demonstrate the impact of atacicept to reduce proteinuria,' said Richard Lafayette, M.D., F.A.C.P., Professor of Medicine, Nephrology and Director of the Glomerular Disease Center at Stanford University Medical Center, and a primary investigator for both ORIGIN 2b and ORIGIN 3. 'If approved, we believe that atacicept has the potential to advance the standard of care in IgAN as the first dual BAFF/APRIL inhibitor. We currently plan to submit a BLA for atacicept in IgAN to the FDA in the fourth quarter of this year, which may allow for US approval and commercial launch in 2026. We are grateful to the study participants, their families and caregivers, the study investigators and staff, our research partners, and the Vera team for their ongoing commitment and dedication to this important research,' said Marshall Fordyce, M.D., Founder and CEO of Vera Therapeutics. 'Vera aspires to evolve the practice of kidney medicine with the hope that, one day, patients may no longer face a future of dialysis or transplantation. Vera is poised for potential commercial launch of atacicept in 2026 and to pursue development in additional indications in other autoimmune kidney diseases and beyond.' 'Patients with IgA nephropathy, as well as their families and care partners, suffer from clinical uncertainty and the horrible outcome of kidney failure. In addition to clinical signs and symptoms, IgAN has a devastating impact on quality of life and mental wellbeing. I'm thrilled with the progress that is being made in developing new treatments for patients,' said Bonnie Schneider, Director and Cofounder of the IgA Nephropathy Foundation. ORIGIN 3 is an ongoing global, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 trial of 431 adults with IgA nephropathy. Participants were randomized 1:1 to atacicept 150 mg, self-administered at home via once weekly subcutaneous injection, or placebo. The primary efficacy endpoint was the change in 24-hour UPCR compared to placebo at the 36-week interim analysis. The trial continues in a placebo-controlled blinded manner to evaluate the change in kidney function over two years as measured by eGFR and is expected to complete in 2027. For more information about the ORIGIN 3 clinical trial (NCT04716231), please visit The Company will host an investor call and webcast to discuss the data update at 8:00 AM ET on Monday, June 2. Investors Dial-in: 1-877-425-9470 Int'l Investors Dial-in: 1-201-389-0878 Conference ID: 13754147 Webcast: The live webcast will be available on the Company's Investor Calendar, with the recording and presentation available immediately following the event. References1. Barratt J, et al. JASN 2024 About Atacicept Atacicept is an investigational recombinant fusion protein that contains the soluble transmembrane activator and calcium-modulating cyclophilin ligand interactor (TACI) receptor that binds to the cytokines B-cell activating factor (BAFF) and A PRoliferation-Inducing Ligand (APRIL). These cytokines are members of the tumor necrosis factor family that promote B-cell survival and autoantibody production associated with certain autoimmune diseases, including IgAN, other autoimmune kidney diseases and lupus nephritis. The ORIGIN Phase 2b clinical trial of atacicept in IgAN met its primary and key secondary endpoints, with statistically significant and clinically meaningful proteinuria reductions and stabilization of eGFR versus placebo through 36 weeks. The safety profile during the randomized period was comparable between atacicept and placebo. Through 96 weeks, atacicept demonstrated further improvements in Gd-IgA1, hematuria, and proteinuria, as well as stabilization of eGFR reflecting a profile consistent with that of the general population without IgAN. Atacicept has received FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for the treatment of IgAN, which reflects the FDA's determination that, based on an assessment of data from the ORIGIN Phase 2b clinical trial, atacicept may demonstrate substantial improvement on a clinically significant endpoint over available therapies for patients with IgAN. Vera believes atacicept is positioned for best-in-class potential, targeting B cells to reduce autoantibodies and having been administered to more than 1,500 patients in clinical trials across different indications. About VeraVera Therapeutics is a late clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing treatments for serious immunological diseases. Vera's mission is to advance treatments that target the source of immunological diseases in order to change the standard of care for patients. Vera's lead product candidate is atacicept, a fusion protein self-administered as a subcutaneous injection once weekly that blocks both BAFF and APRIL, which stimulate B cells to produce autoantibodies contributing to certain autoimmune diseases, including IgAN and lupus nephritis. In addition, Vera is evaluating additional diseases where the reduction of autoantibodies by atacicept may prove medically useful. Vera also holds an exclusive license agreement with Stanford University for a novel, next generation fusion protein targeting BAFF and APRIL, known as VT-109, with wide therapeutic potential across the spectrum of B cell mediated diseases. Vera is also developing MAU868, a monoclonal antibody designed to neutralize infection with BK virus (BKV), a polyomavirus that can have devastating consequences in certain settings such as kidney transplant. Vera retains all global developmental and commercial rights to atacicept and MAU868. For more information, please visit Forward-looking StatementsStatements contained in this press release regarding matters, events or results that may occur in the future are 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include statements regarding, among other things, atacicept's potential to be a best-in-class therapy for patients with IgAN, atacicept's potential as a treatment for indications beyond IgAN, Vera's expectations concerning other predefined endpoints in the Phase 3 ORIGIN trial, as well as the two-year data therefrom, Vera's plans to meet with, and submit a BLA for atacicept to, the FDA, and to potentially receive FDA approval for atacicept in IgAN and launch it commercially, and, in each case, the timing thereof, the potential for atacicept to bring value for patients and to the change the standard of care in IgAN, if approved, and other statements that are not historical fact. Because such statements are subject to risk and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Words such as 'anticipate,' 'believe,' 'expect,' 'plan,' 'potential' and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon Vera's current expectations and involve assumptions that may never materialize or may prove to be incorrect. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation, risks related to the regulatory approval process, results of earlier clinical trials may not be obtained in later clinical trials, preliminary or interim results may not be predictive of final study results, risks and uncertainties associated with Vera's business in general, the impact of macroeconomic and geopolitical events, and the other risks described in Vera's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made and are based on management's assumptions and estimates as of such date. Vera undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made, except as required by law. For more information, please contact: Investor Contact:Joyce AllaireLifeSci Advisors212-915-2569jallaire@ Media Contact:Debra CharlesworthVera Therapeutics415-854-8051corporatecommunications@ 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
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Vera Therapeutics Announces Atacicept Achieved 46% Proteinuria Reduction in ORIGIN Phase 3 Trial in Adults with IgA Nephropathy
Atacicept ORIGIN Phase 3 trial met the primary endpoint of reduction in proteinuria (UPCR) at week 36; participants receiving atacicept achieved a 46% reduction from baseline and 42% reduction compared to placebo at week 36 (p<0.0001) Other prespecified endpoints achieved similar or better results compared to the ORIGIN Phase 2b clinical trial — per FDA guidance, Vera is not sharing eGFR results at this time while the ORIGIN 3 placebo-controlled trial continues The safety profile of atacicept was favorable, and comparable to placebo Vera plans to meet with FDA in the coming weeks to discuss these results and the regulatory pathway; Vera currently plans to submit a Biologics License Application (BLA) for accelerated approval to the FDA in 4Q 2025; ORIGIN 3 trial continues with two-year results expected in 2027 Vera will host a conference call and webcast at 8:00 am ET on Monday, June 2 BRISBANE, Calif., June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vera Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: VERA) today announced that the primary endpoint was met in the ORIGIN Phase 3 trial of atacicept for the treatment of immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) in adults. Participants treated with atacicept achieved a 46% reduction from baseline in proteinuria as measured by 24-hour urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UPCR), with a statistically significant and clinically meaningful 42% reduction in UPCR compared to placebo (p<0.0001) at week 36. For other prespecified endpoints, atacicept treatment also demonstrated results that were consistent with or better than those previously observed in the ORIGIN Phase 2b trial.1 The safety profile of atacicept in this analysis was favorable, and comparable to placebo. Vera plans to share these results with the FDA in the coming weeks, and full results will be submitted to the American Society of Nephrology Kidney Week. 'ORIGIN 3 is the first Phase 3 clinical trial in IgAN to demonstrate this magnitude of UPCR reduction compared to placebo at week 36. These results convincingly demonstrate the impact of atacicept to reduce proteinuria,' said Richard Lafayette, M.D., F.A.C.P., Professor of Medicine, Nephrology and Director of the Glomerular Disease Center at Stanford University Medical Center, and a primary investigator for both ORIGIN 2b and ORIGIN 3. 'If approved, we believe that atacicept has the potential to advance the standard of care in IgAN as the first dual BAFF/APRIL inhibitor. We currently plan to submit a BLA for atacicept in IgAN to the FDA in the fourth quarter of this year, which may allow for US approval and commercial launch in 2026. We are grateful to the study participants, their families and caregivers, the study investigators and staff, our research partners, and the Vera team for their ongoing commitment and dedication to this important research,' said Marshall Fordyce, M.D., Founder and CEO of Vera Therapeutics. 'Vera aspires to evolve the practice of kidney medicine with the hope that, one day, patients may no longer face a future of dialysis or transplantation. Vera is poised for potential commercial launch of atacicept in 2026 and to pursue development in additional indications in other autoimmune kidney diseases and beyond.' 'Patients with IgA nephropathy, as well as their families and care partners, suffer from clinical uncertainty and the horrible outcome of kidney failure. In addition to clinical signs and symptoms, IgAN has a devastating impact on quality of life and mental wellbeing. I'm thrilled with the progress that is being made in developing new treatments for patients,' said Bonnie Schneider, Director and Cofounder of the IgA Nephropathy Foundation. ORIGIN 3 is an ongoing global, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 trial of 431 adults with IgA nephropathy. Participants were randomized 1:1 to atacicept 150 mg, self-administered at home via once weekly subcutaneous injection, or placebo. The primary efficacy endpoint was the change in 24-hour UPCR compared to placebo at the 36-week interim analysis. The trial continues in a placebo-controlled blinded manner to evaluate the change in kidney function over two years as measured by eGFR and is expected to complete in 2027. For more information about the ORIGIN 3 clinical trial (NCT04716231), please visit The Company will host an investor call and webcast to discuss the data update at 8:00 AM ET on Monday, June 2. Investors Dial-in: 1-877-425-9470 Int'l Investors Dial-in: 1-201-389-0878 Conference ID: 13754147 Webcast: The live webcast will be available on the Company's Investor Calendar, with the recording and presentation available immediately following the event. References1. Barratt J, et al. JASN 2024 About Atacicept Atacicept is an investigational recombinant fusion protein that contains the soluble transmembrane activator and calcium-modulating cyclophilin ligand interactor (TACI) receptor that binds to the cytokines B-cell activating factor (BAFF) and A PRoliferation-Inducing Ligand (APRIL). These cytokines are members of the tumor necrosis factor family that promote B-cell survival and autoantibody production associated with certain autoimmune diseases, including IgAN, other autoimmune kidney diseases and lupus nephritis. The ORIGIN Phase 2b clinical trial of atacicept in IgAN met its primary and key secondary endpoints, with statistically significant and clinically meaningful proteinuria reductions and stabilization of eGFR versus placebo through 36 weeks. The safety profile during the randomized period was comparable between atacicept and placebo. Through 96 weeks, atacicept demonstrated further improvements in Gd-IgA1, hematuria, and proteinuria, as well as stabilization of eGFR reflecting a profile consistent with that of the general population without IgAN. Atacicept has received FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for the treatment of IgAN, which reflects the FDA's determination that, based on an assessment of data from the ORIGIN Phase 2b clinical trial, atacicept may demonstrate substantial improvement on a clinically significant endpoint over available therapies for patients with IgAN. Vera believes atacicept is positioned for best-in-class potential, targeting B cells to reduce autoantibodies and having been administered to more than 1,500 patients in clinical trials across different indications. About VeraVera Therapeutics is a late clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing treatments for serious immunological diseases. Vera's mission is to advance treatments that target the source of immunological diseases in order to change the standard of care for patients. Vera's lead product candidate is atacicept, a fusion protein self-administered as a subcutaneous injection once weekly that blocks both BAFF and APRIL, which stimulate B cells to produce autoantibodies contributing to certain autoimmune diseases, including IgAN and lupus nephritis. In addition, Vera is evaluating additional diseases where the reduction of autoantibodies by atacicept may prove medically useful. Vera also holds an exclusive license agreement with Stanford University for a novel, next generation fusion protein targeting BAFF and APRIL, known as VT-109, with wide therapeutic potential across the spectrum of B cell mediated diseases. Vera is also developing MAU868, a monoclonal antibody designed to neutralize infection with BK virus (BKV), a polyomavirus that can have devastating consequences in certain settings such as kidney transplant. Vera retains all global developmental and commercial rights to atacicept and MAU868. For more information, please visit Forward-looking StatementsStatements contained in this press release regarding matters, events or results that may occur in the future are 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include statements regarding, among other things, atacicept's potential to be a best-in-class therapy for patients with IgAN, atacicept's potential as a treatment for indications beyond IgAN, Vera's expectations concerning other predefined endpoints in the Phase 3 ORIGIN trial, as well as the two-year data therefrom, Vera's plans to meet with, and submit a BLA for atacicept to, the FDA, and to potentially receive FDA approval for atacicept in IgAN and launch it commercially, and, in each case, the timing thereof, the potential for atacicept to bring value for patients and to the change the standard of care in IgAN, if approved, and other statements that are not historical fact. Because such statements are subject to risk and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Words such as 'anticipate,' 'believe,' 'expect,' 'plan,' 'potential' and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon Vera's current expectations and involve assumptions that may never materialize or may prove to be incorrect. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation, risks related to the regulatory approval process, results of earlier clinical trials may not be obtained in later clinical trials, preliminary or interim results may not be predictive of final study results, risks and uncertainties associated with Vera's business in general, the impact of macroeconomic and geopolitical events, and the other risks described in Vera's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made and are based on management's assumptions and estimates as of such date. Vera undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made, except as required by law. For more information, please contact: Investor Contact:Joyce AllaireLifeSci Advisors212-915-2569jallaire@ Media Contact:Debra CharlesworthVera Therapeutics415-854-8051corporatecommunications@ 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
New York Post
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Katy Perry roars back at ‘unhinged' haters after Blue Origin backlash, insists she won't be a ‘human piñata'
Katy Perry is making sure her fans know that no amount of backlash can dim her firework. The singer, 40, took to social media to address her KatyCats after they expressed their unwavering support amid a thunderstorm of critics who had something to say about Perry's Blue Origin space mission and her outta this world-themed concert tour. Addressing her diehards by leaving a lengthy message via a fan page on Tuesday, April 29, the 'Hot N Cold' singer made sure they knew she was doing 'ok.' 11 Katy Perry took part in Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin space mission earlier this month. Katy Perry / Facebook 11 She's received backlash over the mission and her space-themed tour. Getty Images Perry's gratitude comes as her fans launched a worldwide project to congratulate the hitmaker on her 'Lifetimes Tour' — which kicked off on April 23 in New Mexico — with a temporary billboard in Times Square, which read, 'Know that you are safe, seen and celebrated.' Responding to the message in a comment on Instagram, the Grammy-nominated superstar wrote, 'I'm so grateful for you guys. We're in this beautiful and wild journey together. I can continue to remain true to myself, heart open and honest especially because of our bond.' Perry also reflected on her mental health, sharing something her therapist told her years ago that has stuck with her in situations like these. 'Please know I am ok, I have done a lot work around knowing who I am, what is real and what is important to me. My therapist said something years ago that has been a game changer, 'No one can make you believe something about yourself that you don't already believe about yourself,' and if I ever do have any feelings about it then it's an opportunity to investigate the feeling underneath it,' she explained. 11 Katy Perry's emotional message to fans over the brutal online roasting. Instagram 11 Katy Perry was also critiqued for kissing the ground after returning to Earth. HANDOUT/BLUE ORIGIN HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock 11 Blue Origin's New Shepard 31 rocket launches the NS-31 crew into space on April 14. Blue Origin/Mega The 'Dark Horse' singer then shared that 'when the 'online' world tries to make me a human piñata, I take it with grace and send them love, cause I know so many people are hurting in so many ways and the internet is very much so a dumping ground for unhinged and unhealed.' Perry concluded her statement by focusing on her fanbase. 'What's real is seeing your faces every night, singing in unison, reading your notes, feeling your warmth,' she wrote, referring to connecting with them in ways other than at her shows. 11 Katy Perry. 11 The singer performing in Mexico City as part of her tour. / 11 Katy Perry in her Blue Origin jumpsuit. HANDOUT/BLUE ORIGIN HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock 'I find people to lock eyes and sing with and I know we are healing each other in a small way when I get to do that [no], l'm not perfect, and I actually have omitted that word from my vocabulary,' she stated. Perry insisted that she will continue to live out her teenage dreams despite the drama surrounding her every move. 'l'm on a human journey playing the game of life with an audience of many and sometimes I fall but… I get back up and go on and continue to play the game and somehow through my battered and bruised adventure, I keep looking to the light,' she told her fans. 11 The pop star with Gayle King and Lauren Sanchez, as well as the rest of their all-female crew. Blue Origin 11 Katy Perry during the rocket launch. Blue Origin/Mega 11 Katy Perry after returning from the roughly 11-minute space mission. via REUTERS Perry's haters have been relentless, which includes several celebrities who slammed the star for joining the Jeff Bezos space flight. Actress Olivia Munn was among the critics. She accused Perry and the other members of the all-female crew, including Gayle King, Lauren Sánchez, film producer Kerianne Flynn, aerospace engineer Aisha Bowe and astronaut/activist Amanda Nguyen, of being 'gluttonous' with their trip to space that only lasted around 11 minutes. Following the Blue Origin mission, Perry received even more fallout when she seemingly tailored the outfits, choreography and several props on her tour as a tribute to her highly-critiqued space voyage. Perry will begin performing the US leg of her 'Lifetimes Tour' on May 7 in Houston, Texas. The worldwide tour will conclude in Abu Dhabi on December 7.
Euronews
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Euronews
'It's a sacred space': Inside the new sound exhibition from immersive theatre legends
ADVERTISEMENT A short drive away from Manchester is Dunham Massey, a 17th century National Trust property where a new soundscape installation will give audiences a unique experience of the cycle of life, nature and grief. 'ORIGIN' is the latest art installation from A Right / Left Project, Stephen Dobbie and Colin Nightingale's soundscape collective. The pair met through Punchdrunk – where they are Creative Director and Associate Creative Producer, respectively – the innovative stage company that changed people's perceptions of what was possible in immersive theatre through shows like 'Sleep No More' and 'The Burnt City'. With A Right / Left Project, Dobbie and Nightingale have expanded from working within the structures of immersive theatre to creating their own experiences from the ground up. Related Why are we still being scammed by immersive art exhibitions? Immersive exhibition celebrates the colourful 'queen of fado' singer Amália Rodrigues Together they've created bold works that break apart – sometimes literally – audience conceptions of what a sound installation can be . 'Beyond the Road' at London's Saatchi Gallery in 2019 took the work of electronic musician UNKLE and created the first 'walkthrough album'. Their next project, 2023's 'The Retiring Room' was a sonic expedition in a hotel room that could only be experienced one person at a time. Whether it's in one of Punchdrunk's expansive settings or their more intimate installations, both agree that sound is beyond essential in the experience. 'An image can be as grainy or as distorted as you want, but people will not forgive bad sound,' Dobbie says, noting how films like The Blair Witch Project could get away with shaky cam footage because they'd pushed the budget on telling the story through audio. Stephen Dobbie and Colin Nightingale A Right / Left Project 'We used to joke that, essentially, as long as we had a building and we could get sound through it, we could literally switch the lights out and give someone a torch, and they'd have an experience,' Nightingale adds. 'All the rest of it was actually just an additional bonus. Without the sound there's nothing.' For 'ORIGIN', Dobbie and Nightingale are back with one space. It's a far cry from the elaborate Punchdrunk production of 'Sleep No More', which loosely followed the plot of 'Macbeth' as audience members independently traversed the many rooms of a hotel. 'We've been a part of some massive scale projects,' Nightingale says, 'getting the right circumstances to allow those projects to happen is really tough.' From the pair's interest in spatialized sound, ''ORIGIN' came out of us trying to scale down a little bit and explore what you could do in one room where there's minimal intervention, but there would still be emotional impact.' After people spend some time enjoying the 300-acre parkland around Dunham Mass where fallow deer run free, they'll be able to enter the opulent house at the heart of the estate where 'ORIGIN' will be set up. In the room, audience members will lie down around a structure designed around the Himalayan Lily to experience the soundscape. ORIGIN at Dunham Massey Stephen Dobbie 'We wanted to take an approach of cinematic sound and reimagine it in an environment where an audience is more static,' Dobbie says. Although everyone is in the same room hearing the same soundtrack, through the way they've spatialized the music, each experience will be unique. 'You might get slightly more flute or slightly more violin. I think in animating the space like that, and animating the composition, it shifts the way you experience music.' 'It's almost as though you're experiencing music as you experience sound in quite a naturalistic way,' Dobbie adds. A Right / Left Project first created 'ORIGIN' with the composer Toby Young and lighting design by Ben Donoghue. It was first unveiled last year at World Heart Beat in London's Embassy Gardens before a stint at London Design Festival. As it returns, now in Dunham Mass, the pair are still reticent about what 'ORIGIN' is actually about. 'We all have our own relationships with births and deaths over the last couple of years and a lot of that thinking has gone into the work,' Nightingale will admit. 'But that's all we really want to say to people.' The only true way to experience something is, after all, for oneself. It's on the audience to find their own experiential narrative. While the music might occasionally play into 'familiar tropes', Dobbie says of its 'dramatic swells', there are also 'breaks of sparse atmospheric sections'. All of these give the audience room to feel it as they wish. 'We're trying to create a piece of music as an invitation to explore within yourself. To explore what might be going on in your head,' Dobbie suggests. ADVERTISEMENT 'ORIGIN' at Dunham Massey Stephen Dobbie Anyone who's seen Punchdrunk's work such as the 2022 London show 'The Burnt City' will be familiar with the production company's abrasive and in-your-face approach to immersion. They've never shied away from violence, nudity or gore. Yet, 'ORIGIN' represents a quieter and calmer side to the sound engineers' artistic impulses. 'A lot of that work is coming from a place of taking people out of their comfort zone as a way to then engage them in an avant garde approach to theatre,' Nightingale says. Punchdrunk began at the cusp of the millennia, 'where people were starting to get fractured information, but you were still kind of in control of how you received information.' 'Now we live in a world that's just madness out there with so many truths,' Nightingale continues. 'So we were interested in creating a sanctuary. It's a sacred space where people actually listen to music and disconnect from the madness out there and maybe regulate their nervous systems a little bit.' 'ORIGIN' will be at Dunham Massey, Cheshire from 3 May to 2 November. ADVERTISEMENT
