Latest news with #Solid
BBC News
4 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Disabled doll accessory maker wants "toys that represent us'
A woman who creates miniature mobility aids and medical accessories for dolls is launching a new range of powerchairs and scooters for the True, from Sheffield has been making items such as walking sticks, ostomy bags and wheelchairs for toys since 29-year-old, who has fibromyalgia and uses a powerchair herself, said she had only felt confident enough to use mobility aids after seeing others use them, something she said had "changed my life"."Children seeing a doll using an aid can give them the confidence to use the things they need to benefit them. And people seeing them more often can eliminate biases and stigmas early," she added. Ms True, who runs Disabled Dolly, is working with 3D design software company Solidworks to create the new chairs and mobility scooters."I myself use a powerchair, so I understand how life-changing something like that can be," she said."It's something I've wanted to make since day one. To finally create that will be the biggest achievement for Disabled Dolly to date and, personally, it will be really wonderful." She said she hoped the business would show what was possible in the industry and "drive the narrative for change" in representing disabilities."If I can see the importance and make it possible, then why aren't the larger doll companies doing more?" she addedJames Taylor, strategy director at disability equality charity Scope, said Disabled Dolly was "paving the way" and urged other businesses to take inspiration."When disabled people don't see themselves represented, then talent and potential goes unrecognised and negative attitudes go unchallenged," he first wheelchair-using doll from Barbie-makers Mattel, Becky, was discontinued soon after its release in 1997 due to the chair being too wide for the door of the Barbie next Barbie dolls with disabilities were not released until 2019. 'Necessary, not niche' Ms True said: "When you are waiting for bigger companies to create things, you are waiting for them to deem something important or profitable enough to be made."So, a lot of children grow up not seeing themselves in their toys, and some adults are just experiencing that representation now."Steven Morris, campaigns officer at disability charity Sense, said it was "wonderful" to now see children and adults represented in their play and hobbies."As a child almost no mainstream toys were aimed towards disabled children like me, he said."This can have an impact on your self-esteem, and lead you to feel even more isolated as a disabled child."He said he would like disability-inclusive items to be seen as "necessary, not niche"."Many of the children we support at Sense have dolls which reflect their disabilities, and it's clear from the looks on their faces how much this means to them," he Dolly items are made to order, which Ms True said gave people more flexibility in creating a doll that feels similar to them."When you are acclimatised to seeing yourself everywhere as someone who is non-disabled, representation can be something that is taken for granted," she added."People underestimate the power dolls and toys have." Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
Business Insider
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Solid Launches on Fuse Network, Bringing a Decentralised banking for normies
Solid isn't just another DeFi app. It's a vertically integrated financial platform designed for real users. Built on the full Fuse stack, Solid combines self-custody, seamless performance, and real-time yield into one mobile-first experience. With gasless transactions, smart accounts, and no seed phrases, it removes the complexity that keeps most people out of crypto, making mainstream adoption finally possible. At its core, Solid is more than just a DeFi app. It's a vertically integrated ecosystem built on top of six years of infrastructure development from Fuse Network, an Ethereum Layer 2 platform designed for real-world payments and decentralized applications. From the chain and smart wallets to relayers, APIs, and a native DEX, every layer of Solid's stack is optimized for speed, accessibility, and user control. 'We didn't want to build a patchwork app,' said Mark Smargon, founder of Solid. 'We wanted to build something that feels like modern fintech but is powered by decentralized infrastructure. Fuse gives us that full-stack control, without compromising security or performance.' Full-Stack DeFi Meets Fintech Simplicity Solid is powered by key components of the Fuse stack, including: The Chain: A fast, Ethereum-compatible L2 with instant finality. Smart Wallets: Powered by SAFE, enabling gasless, password-free experiences. Middleware Infrastructure: Relayers, APIs, and subgraphs for seamless performance. Yield Engines & Trading Layers: Featuring Algebra, Voltage, and Veda integrations. Account Abstraction: Leveraging ERC-4337 for intuitive, self-custodial smart accounts. With integrations like Turnkey for biometric login and Pimlico for seamless ERC-4337 execution, users onboard without seed phrases, avoid signing fatigue, and enjoy gasless transactions—no matter the device or asset. Yield Designed for Real Life Solid's vaults are designed to actively manage assets through curated DeFi strategies across multiple chains and protocols, with the aim of optimizing for more stable returns. By leveraging Fuse's wholesale gas pricing and real-time indexing infrastructure, Solid seeks to improve operational efficiency and reduce common cost and latency challenges. Upcoming features will include: The ability to spend yield with the Solid Card Earning on tokenized representations of real-world assets, such as Tesla stock or gold Access to lending and collateralization functionalities Engaging in quests, earning points, and unlocking new application experiences 'Fuse gives us the infrastructure to go beyond crypto natives,' added Mark. 'We're building for everyone, people who want to grow their savings, spend easily, and access real financial tools in one tap.' Early Access Now Available Solid has opened early access signups as it prepares to roll out the Solid Card, introduce support for additional assets, and expand its yield-focused strategies in the coming months. To be among the first to experience the future of crypto savings, users can visit: About Solid Solid is a non-custodial DeFi app that lets users earn yield, save automatically, and spend crypto effortlessly. Built on the Fuse Network, Solid merges the best of decentralized infrastructure with a user experience designed for the real world. Fuse is a decentralized Ethereum Layer 2 chain optimized for payments and consumer-facing applications. It provides scalable, low-cost infrastructure to power DeFi, fintech, and real-world Web3 use cases. Contact Founder
Daily Mirror
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Hollywood legend Michael Douglas reveals worrying reason he hasn't worked for 3 years
Fatal Attraction and Ant-Man actor Michael Douglas has shared his fear of ending up as 'one of those people who dropped dead on set' after marking a milestone birthday His Hollywood legend father Kirk Douglas carried on working into his nineties, but Michael Douglas says he's happy to 'play the wife' and step away from his acting career at a comparatively youthful 80. Speaking to Best Magazine, Michael explains that he hasn't actually worked for a few years, and while he hasn't definitively retired, it would take a very special script to lure him back into the studio: 'I say I'm not retired, because if something special came up, I'd go back.' For now, though, he says he's happy to watch his wife, Catherine Zeta-Jones, 55, go out to work, while he enjoys his remaining years in peace: 'I did not want to be one of those people who dropped dead on set,' he joked. Welsh-born Catherine, some 25 years younger than her husband, is still keeping herself very busy, with a variety of film and TV projects on the boil, including Netflix 's hit series Wednesday. As he winds down from his acting career, though, Michael has reason to be grateful for his old age. In 2010, he was diagnosed with cancer of the tongue. The reality behind the diagnosis wasn't made public at the time, with his doctor advising that it would be better to describe his condition as throat cancer, because of the possible negative publicity that might arise from him having such a disfiguring and potentially deadly condition. He later explained on This Morning that he felt he had to make some sort of announcement, because his treatment meant he had to pull out of a publicity tour for the movie Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps. He recalled: 'The surgeon said let's just say it's throat cancer. I said 'OK, you don't want to say it's tongue cancer?', I said 'Why's that?' and he said 'Well, if you really want to know why, if we do have to have surgery it's not going to be pretty. You'll lose part of you jaw and your tongue and all of that stuff.' So I said, 'OK sure.'" Aggressive chemotherapy sent the cancer into remission, but Michael admits that he went through a very tough time: 'Stage four cancer is not a holiday. You know? It's not a holiday. But there aren't many choices, are there? 'I went with the program involving chemo and radiation, and was fortunate. I had a couple of friends during that same time who were not so lucky.' He mentions Dallas star Larry Hagman, and songwriter Nickolas Ashford – who had a huge hit with 'Solid' in 1984 – as being diagnosed with the same condition at roughly the same time. Sadly, neither of them survived. Michael says that his cancer had probably been brought about by a combination of stress, alcohol abuse, and years of heavy smoking – although, at the time, an offhand remark during an interview with the Guardian led to stories that the main trigger for his cancer had been an infection of the HPV virus, caused by performing oral sex.
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Solid Biosciences Announces FDA IND and Health Canada CTA Approval for First-in-Class Cardiac Gene Therapy to Treat Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia (CPVT)
- SGT-501 is a novel gene therapy for rare, life-threatening, genetic arrhythmogenic disease with no approved therapies - - SGT-501 has received Orphan Drug Designation and Rare Pediatric Disease Designation from the FDA - - Solid expects to initiate Phase 1b clinical trial of SGT-501 in the fourth quarter of 2025 - - Expands Solid's clinical pipeline to include first cardiac indication with urgent unmet medical need - CHARLESTOWN, Mass., July 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Solid Biosciences Inc. (Nasdaq: SLDB) (the 'Company' or 'Solid'), a life sciences company developing precision genetic medicines for neuromuscular and cardiac diseases, today announced approval of its Investigational New Drug (IND) application by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and clinical trial application (CTA) by Health Canada for SGT-501, a novel gene therapy approach for the treatment of catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT), a highly malignant, arrhythmogenic channelopathy caused by genetic mutations that impact the ryanodine receptor (RYR2) in cardiac muscle. The Company expects to initiate a Phase 1b clinical trial to evaluate the safety, tolerability and efficacy of SGT-501 in the fourth quarter of 2025. Gabriel Brooks, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Solid, said: 'Despite being identified nearly 50 years ago, CPVT still lacks FDA-approved therapies – this announcement reflects a critical development in the treatment of this underserved, often fatal, cardiac disease. SGT-501 offers a precision genetic approach targeting the underlying pathophysiology of the disease: abnormal calcium releases from the sarcoplasmic reticulum in an otherwise structurally sound heart. We believe SGT-501 has the unique potential to provide durable protection and may be capable of liberating patients from the ever-present threat of lethal arrhythmias and life-limiting prohibitions on exercise. Solid is proud to launch this program to help address this clear unmet need, further expanding our pipeline of differentiated and thoughtfully designed genetic medicines.' Silvia Priori, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Cardiology at the University of Pavia and Director of the Molecular Cardiology Unit at the IRCCS Maugeri in Pavia, Italy, said: 'After decades during which we, the clinical community, have been limited in our ability to treat people living with CPVT, I have long hoped for the day when a genetic-modifying therapy becomes available. We are proud to partner with Solid who advanced fundamental work from our labs at Maugeri, which demonstrated the principle that calsequestrin overexpression can have a therapeutic impact on multiple forms of CPVT in both cellular and mouse models of disease. This work was further developed into a compelling IND safety and efficacy package through close collaboration with, and studies conducted by, the Solid team. I look forward to clinical updates for SGT-501 and seeing how this potential medicine may benefit people living with CPVT who are in critical need of disease-specific medicines.' About SGT-501SGT-501 is an AAV-based gene therapy candidate designed to deliver a functional, full length, codon-optimized copy of the human cardiac calsequestrin (CASQ2) gene to heart muscle cells. In the context of RYR2 variants, increasing CASQ2 protein levels enhances buffering of free calcium in the sarcoplasmic reticulum, stabilizing the RYR2, which results in reduced diastolic calcium leak into the cytosol. Stabilization of the RYR2 in its closed conformation supports the maintenance of normal cardiac rhythm with the potential to protect against ventricular tachycardia. SGT-501 received Orphan Drug Designation and Rare Pediatric Disease Designation from the U.S. FDA and has potential as a first-in-class therapy to correct the underlying RYR2 instability and calcium dysregulation causes of CPVT. The AAV-CASQ2 gene therapy approach utilized by SGT-501 was pioneered by Dr. Silvia Priori and the IRCCS ICS Maugeri lab in Pavia, Italy. As a globally recognized leader in inherited arrhythmias, Dr. Priori has long been at the forefront of translational cardiac research. Solid Biosciences in-licensed this innovative therapeutic in 2023 and subsequently advanced it into IND-enabling preclinical development, marking an important step toward bringing this potential treatment to individuals living with CPVT. About Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia (CPVT)Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is a heart condition marked by abnormal rhythms; specifically, an abnormally fast heartbeat (ventricular tachycardia), which can be triggered by adrenergic stimulation such as physical activity or emotional stress. These arrhythmias can cause unexplained fainting, seizures, cardiac arrest and sudden death. CPVT is estimated to affect roughly 1 in 10,000 individuals globally, although it is often misdiagnosed, and is typically identified in children and young adults. It is mainly caused by mutations in the RYR2 and CASQ2 genes, which disrupt calcium regulation in heart muscle cells, impairing proper heart contraction and relaxation. There are currently no treatments that address the underlying mechanisms of CPVT. To learn more about CPVT and SGT-501, watch a brief CPVT expert and patient video by clicking here. About Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri Spa SB (ICS Maugeri)ICS Maugeri S.p.A. Società Benefit is Italy's leading healthcare provider specializing in rehabilitation and comprehensive care for vulnerable patients. It stands out for its strong focus on scientific research, operating 18 Clinical Institutes - including 9 recognized as IRCCS (Scientific Institutes for Research, Hospitalization and Healthcare) and 9 as Scientific Clinical Institutes -along with 6 outpatient centers, 1 Environmental Research Center, and a Poison Control Center and National Toxicology Information Center. ICS Maugeri is involved not only in scientific research but also in the application of advanced technologies across medical disciplines, offering personalized care pathways and centers of excellence for specific conditions and clinical specialties. The Group employs more than 4,000 professionals, where medical and professional excellence is intrinsically linked to core values of equity, inclusivity, equality, and transparency - principles that have always guided Maugeri's mission. Headquartered in Pavia, ICS Maugeri operates 23 healthcare facilities across 7 Italian regions, including 9 IRCCS, 10 Scientific Clinical Institutes, 5 outpatient clinics, a Poison Control Center –Toxicology Center, and an Environmental Research Center. About Solid BiosciencesSolid Biosciences is a precision genetic medicine company focused on advancing a portfolio of gene therapy candidates targeting rare neuromuscular and cardiac diseases, including Duchenne muscular dystrophy (Duchenne), Friedreich's ataxia (FA), catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT), TNNT2-mediated dilated cardiomyopathy, BAG3-mediated dilated cardiomyopathy, and additional fatal, genetic cardiac diseases. The Company is also focused on developing innovative libraries of genetic regulators and other enabling technologies with promising potential to significantly impact gene therapy delivery cross-industry. Solid is advancing its diverse pipeline and delivery platform in the pursuit of uniting experts in science, technology, disease management, and care. Patient-focused and founded by those directly impacted by Duchenne, Solid's mission is to improve the daily lives of patients living with devastating rare diseases. For more information, please visit Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding future expectations, plans and prospects for the Company; the ability to successfully achieve and execute on the company's goals, priorities and achieve key clinical milestones; the Company's pipeline of programs for neuromuscular and cardiac diseases, including its SGT-501, SGT-212 and SGT-003 programs and expectations for CTA filings, site activations, clinical development, initiation and enrollment in clinical trials, dosing, availability of clinical trial data and potential accelerated approval; the sufficiency of the Company's cash, cash equivalents, and available-for-sale securities to fund its operations; and other statements containing the words 'anticipate,' 'believe,' 'continue,' 'could,' 'estimate,' 'expect,' 'intend,' 'may,' 'plan,' 'potential,' 'predict,' 'project,' 'should,' 'target,' 'would,' 'working' and similar expressions. Any forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations of future events 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. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks associated with the company's ability to advance SGT-501, SGT-212, SGT-003, SGT-601, SGT-401 and other preclinical programs and capsid libraries on the timelines expected or at all; obtain and maintain necessary approvals from the FDA and other regulatory authorities; replicate in clinical trials positive results found in preclinical studies and early-stage clinical trials of the company's product candidates; obtain, maintain or protect intellectual property rights related to its product candidates; compete successfully with other companies that are seeking to develop Duchenne, Friedreich's ataxia and other neuromuscular and cardiac treatments and gene therapies; manage expenses; and raise the substantial additional capital needed, on the timeline necessary, to continue development of SGT-501, SGT-212, SGT-003, SGT-601, SGT-401 and other candidates, achieve its other business objectives and continue as a going concern. For a discussion of other risks and uncertainties, and other important factors, any of which could cause the company's actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see the 'Risk Factors' section, as well as discussions of potential risks, uncertainties and other important factors, in the company's most recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, the forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the company's views as of the date hereof and should not be relied upon as representing the company's views as of any date subsequent to the date hereof. The company anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause the company's views to change. However, while the company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. Solid Biosciences Investor Contact:Nicole AndersonDirector, Investor Relations and Corporate CommunicationsSolid Biosciences Media Contact:Yuliya Kutuzava FINN 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
Associated Press
30-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Affordable Ceretone OTC Hearing Aids Now Available at Target Stores Nationwide
LOS ANGELES, June 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ceretone, a pioneering force in affordable hearing technology, today announces the nationwide launch of its over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids at Target stores and The company has established itself as a leading OTC hearing aid brand in major retail channels, demonstrating strong consumer demand for accessible hearing aids. This collaboration brings five innovative Ceretone hearing aid models to Target customers nationwide: Torch, Style, Solid, Core One, and Beacon. The lineup addresses diverse hearing requirements and budget considerations across different consumer segments. Target stores will carry three models in-store, with two additional options available through A Hearing Aid for Everyone Torch: Features tinnitus masking and superior audio quality powered by advanced chips commonly used in prescription hearing aids, combined with simple operation and comfortable wear for users seeking professional-grade performance, all at a fraction of the price. Price: $249.99 Style: Delivers excellent sound quality with a fashionable design that appeals to consumers who prioritize both aesthetics and functionality, representing the most affordable option in the lineup. Price: $99.99 Solid: Offers unique charging-while-drying functionality, large physical buttons designed for senior-friendly operation, and represents excellent value for budget-conscious consumers. Price: $199.99 Core One: The world's smallest and 99% invisible hearing aid with exceptional comfort and app control. The upgraded Core One Pro will be launched in July, with exciting new features to be revealed soon. Price: $329.99 Beacon: Ceretone's flagship behind-the-ear model with advanced self-fitting and streaming functions, delivering superior sound quality and seamless connectivity to your digital devices. Price: $599.99 Accessibility to Better Hearing The company's proven track record in the retail hearing aid market has demonstrated strong consumer acceptance and paved the way for this exciting partnership with Target. 'Our R&D team brings years of experience from the prescription hearing aid world, which gives us a real advantage in the OTC market,' said Lincoln Lee, Ceretone's Product Director. 'We're focused on delivering better performance and quality at lower costs - that's how we make sure our customers get more for less, so more Americans can access quality hearing solutions.' About Ceretone: Founded by an engineer whose father experienced hearing loss due to the prohibitive cost and poor performance of available hearing aids, Ceretone was created to address these challenges for others. The company is driven to develop high-performance, affordable hearing aids that everyone can access. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Ceretone
