Federal judge rules Tump directives canceling NIH grants are 'void,' 'illegal'
A federal judge in Massachusetts ruled on Monday that directives from the Trump administration that led to the cancellations of several research grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) were "void" and "illegal."
U.S. District Judge William Young said the cancellation of the grants -- related to studies involving LGBTQ+ issues, gender identity and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) -- violated federal law, saying it was a case of racial discrimination and discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community, according to the plaintiffs in the case.
Two lawsuits had been filed against the administration: One led by the American Public Health Association and the other filed by a group of 16 states. Some estimates have suggested that up to $1.8 billion in research funding had been cut.
MORE: NIH terminating active research grants related to LGBTQ+, DEI studies
Young, an appointee of President Ronald Reagan, said he was ordering the NIH to restore the grants that were terminated.
In a statement, Andrew Nixon, the director of communications for the Department of Health and Human Services, said the agency stands by its decision to end funding for research "that prioritized ideological agendas over scientific rigor and meaningful outcomes for the American people. Under the leadership of Secretary Kennedy and the Trump administration, HHS is committed to ensuring that taxpayer dollars support programs rooted in evidence-based practices and gold standard science – not driven by divisive DEI mandates or gender ideology."
Nixon said HHS is "exploring all legal options, including filing an appeal and moving to stay the order."
Among the plaintiffs is Dr. Brittany Charlton, an associate professor at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, who had all her grants terminated by the NIH.
One of the terminated grants focused on documenting obstetrical outcomes for lesbian, gay and bisexual women and another focused on how discriminatory laws impact mental health among LGBTQ+ teens.
"As a plaintiff, I felt truly seen -- it was a rare moment when the deep harm caused to researchers and the communities we serve was acknowledged out loud, in front of the world," Charlton told ABC News in a statement.
"Sitting there, I felt a wave of relief and hope as the judge condemned the government's actions and ordered the grants to be reinstated," the statement continued. "After so much uncertainty and disruption, it finally felt like justice and the value of our research -- and the communities at its heart -- were being affirmed."
The terminations came after President Donald Trump passed a flurry of executive orders including vowing to "defend women from gender ideology extremism" and aiming to dismantle DEI initiatives.
MORE: Judge blocks Trump administration's move to cut billions in NIH scientific funding
According to termination letters sent to researchers at various universities that were reviewed by ABC News, the administration said the canceled projects do not serve the "priorities" of the current administration.
"Research programs based on gender identity are often unscientific, have little identifiable return on investment, and do nothing to enhance the health of many Americans. Many such studies ignore, rather than seriously examine, biological realities. It is the policy of NIH not to prioritize these research programs," some of the termination letters read.
"The premise…is incompatible with agency priorities, and no modification of the project could align the project with agency priorities," the letters continued.
ABC News' Sony Salzman contributed to this report.
Federal judge rules Tump directives canceling NIH grants are 'void,' 'illegal' originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
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Associated Press
29 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Novo Nordisk advances early-stage obesity medication, amycretin, to phase 3 clinical development based on early-phase clinical trial results in people with obesity or excess weight, published in The Lancet
PLAINSBORO, N.J., June 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, results from two early-phase clinical trials evaluating Novo Nordisk's amycretin, an innovative investigational obesity treatment designed to target appetite regulation, were published in The Lancet.1 In a phase 1b/2a clinical trial of 125 adults with overweight or obesity, once-weekly subcutaneous amycretin appeared to be safe and tolerable in trial participants, who also achieved significantly greater weight loss across the full range of doses investigated versus placebo.1 A related phase 1 trial of once-daily oral amycretin in adults with obesity or overweight also showed that treatment was safe and tolerable with an observed reduction in body weight compared to placebo.2 No weight loss plateau was observed in either trial at the end of the respective treatment durations.1,2 Data on subcutaneous amycretin is scheduled to be presented on Sunday, June 22nd, during a late-breaking poster session at the American Diabetes Association's® (ADA) 85th Scientific Sessions.1 'We are pleased with the promising results of amycretin and the feedback from regulatory authorities and are excited to advance both subcutaneous and oral versions of this molecule into phase 3 development for weight management. At Novo Nordisk, we understand that addressing obesity is a complex challenge that many patients face. These results reflect our robust pipeline in obesity, our focus on progressing scientific innovation and expanding the range of options available to patients and healthcare professionals,' said Martin Holst Lange, executive vice president for Development at Novo Nordisk. 'We remain steadfast in our mission to discover and develop therapies that can have a meaningful impact in the lives of those affected by obesity.' Results from the phase 1b/2a trial of subcutaneous amycretin showed treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were mild or moderate in severity and increased in frequency in a dose-dependent manner. The most frequent reported TEAEs were gastrointestinal in nature. Compared to placebo, participants receiving amycretin observed greater weight loss across the full range of doses investigated.1 Subcutaneous amycretin at multiple doses demonstrated greater weight reduction than placebo at the end of the trial. Participants who received the highest doses (up to 60 mg) reported body weight reductions of up to 24.3% versus 1.1% with placebo after 36 weeks of treatment. Results from this first-in-human phase 1b/2a study support further investigation of potential weight-loss efficacy of amycretin. Results from the published phase 1 trial of oral amycretin showed that the most common TEAEs were related to gastrointestinal symptoms (mainly nausea and vomiting) and decreased appetite; these were most frequent for the higher doses. Trial participants receiving the study treatment demonstrated significantly greater weight loss across the full range of doses investigated versus the placebo group.2 Exploratory results showed participants taking 100 mg per day of oral amycretin achieved a mean weight loss of 13.1% versus 1.2% with placebo after 12 weeks.2 Based on these phase 1 results, longer evaluation with more participants is warranted to substantiate the full efficacy findings of oral amycretin on body weight reductions and changes in metabolic parameters. Novo Nordisk will advance both subcutaneous and oral amycretin formulations straight to phase 3 development for weight management based on these and other completed clinical studies, as well as feedback received from regulatory authorities. About amycretin Amycretin is a unimolecular long-acting GLP-1 and amylin receptor agonist under development by Novo Nordisk, to provide a treatment for adults with overweight or obesity and as a treatment for adults with type 2 diabetes. Amycretin is under investigation for oral and subcutaneous administration, and is not approved in the US for weight loss. About the phase 1b/2a subcutaneous amycretin trial The phase 1b/2a trial was a randomized, placebo-controlled, single-center, double-blinded study of 125 participants assessing the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and effects on body weight after subcutaneous administration of amycretin in people with overweight or obesity.1 Adults with a body mass index of 27-39.9kg/m2 and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) <6.5% were eligible for the trial.1 The trial was conducted in 5 parts: a single ascending dose (Part A) for determination of pharmacokinetics and starting dose for the first multiple dose cohort in which the safety and tolerability were explored using dose escalation until 36 weeks of total treatment duration (Part B).1 Lastly, in the multiple ascending dose – dose response parts, body weight loss was explored for up to 36 weeks of dosing by escalating to dose levels of 1.25 mg, 5 mg, and 20 mg, respectively, dosed for 12 weeks (Part E, D and C).1 About the phase 1 oral amycretin trial The phase 1 single-center, randomized, placebo-controlled study evaluated the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of single ascending doses (Part A) and multiple ascending doses (Part B, 10 days of treatment; Part C/D, 12 weeks of treatment) of 144 adult participants with overweight or obesity.2 The primary endpoint was the number of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) observed in the trial. The trial evaluated the single-ascending dose and multiple ascending doses for oral amycretin, up to 2 times 50 mg, in people with overweight or obesity, with a total treatment duration of up to 12 weeks.2 About obesity Obesity is a serious chronic, progressive, and complex disease that requires long-term management.3-5 One key misunderstanding is that this is a disease of just lack of willpower, when in fact there is underlying biology that may impede people with obesity from losing weight and keeping it off.3,5 Obesity is influenced by a variety of factors, including genetics, social determinants of health, and the environment.6,7 The prevalence of overweight and obesity is a public health issue that has severe cost implications to healthcare systems.8,9 In the US, about 40% of adults live with obesity.10 About Novo Nordisk Novo Nordisk is a leading global healthcare company that's been making innovative medicines to help people with diabetes lead longer, healthier lives for more than 100 years. This heritage has given us experience and capabilities that also enable us to drive change to help people defeat other serious chronic diseases such as obesity, rare blood, and endocrine disorders. We remain steadfast in our conviction that the formula for lasting success is to stay focused, think long-term, and do business in a financially, socially, and environmentally responsible way. With a US presence spanning 40 years, Novo Nordisk US is headquartered in New Jersey and employs over 10,000 people throughout the country across 12 manufacturing, R&D and corporate locations in eight states plus Washington DC. For more information, visit Facebook, Instagram, and X. Novo Nordisk is committed to the responsible use of our semaglutide-containing medicines which represent distinct products with different indications, dosages, prescribing information, titration schedules, and delivery forms. These products are not interchangeable and should not be used outside of their approved indications. Learn more at Contacts for further information References © 2025 Novo Nordisk All rights reserved. US25SEMO01477 June 2025 View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE NOVO NORDISK INC.
Associated Press
29 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Banyan & Bamboo Launches AI-Powered '365 Beauty Blueprint' for Personalized Aesthetic Wellness in Austin
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Banyan & Bamboo's AI skin analysis and 365-day treatment plan is one of the most personalized options for injectables and facial care in Austin. 'We don't believe in one-size-fits-all beauty,' says Jennifer Rushing, Owner and Founder. 'We co-create yearlong blueprints that support skin, confidence, and health from the inside out.' Precision Meets Personalization: The 365 Beauty Blueprint At the heart of the new offering is AI-powered skin analysis - a diagnostic tool that maps hydration, pigmentation, texture, sun damage and aging markers. These insights allow the team to design evolving treatment plans that respond to each client's changing skin needs. The 365 Beauty Blueprint integrates: Every service within the protocol is selected to support internal wellness and natural-looking refinement. 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From hormone-safe skincare to regenerative injectables, each blueprint is crafted with intention and backed by science. The result is an customized aesthetic plan that's as restorative as it is effective - one that meets modern clients where they are and grows with them. 'Austin deserves more than cookie-cutter med spas,' adds Rushing. 'Our goal is to bring intention, expertise, and a little bit of Austin soul into every appointment.' Award-Winning Service In addition to the launch of the 365 Beauty Blueprint, Banyan & Bamboo is also celebrating a recent recognition as the Best Day Spa + Med Spa in Austin of 2025 by the prestigious Evergreen Awards. This accolade highlights their exceptional contributions to the wellness and aesthetics industry, particularly their blend of clinical precision and personalized care. Known for offering a standout menu of evidence-based aesthetic and wellness services, the spa's commitment to the natural, sustainable approach to beauty is reflected in their award. Banyan & Bamboo's regenerative aesthetics, including neuromodulators, dermal fillers, biostimulants, and cutting-edge injectable wellness therapies, consistently deliver natural results, backed by advanced AI-powered skin analysis for hyper-customized facial treatment plans. This focus on personalized, regenerative aesthetics, combined with their holistic approach, has fostered loyalty and built lasting relationships with clients. Owner and Founder Jennifer Rushing's leadership and the spa's deep connection with their clients have played a pivotal role in the studio's success, creating an environment where beauty meets wellness in a thoughtful, intentional way. About Banyan & Bamboo Day Spa | Med Spa Banyan & Bamboo is a boutique day spa and med spa in Austin, TX, specializing in regenerative aesthetics and clinical wellness treatments. The women-led studio offers AI-driven skin analysis, facial balancing, PRF therapies, injectable wellness services, and customized treatment blueprints. Built on the belief that science and soul should coexist, the spa delivers natural-looking results that last - inside and out. Media Contact: Name: Jennifer Rushing Title: Owner & Founder Email: [email protected] Contact Info: Name: Jennifer Rushing Email: Send Email Organization: Banyan & Bamboo Website: Release ID: 89162872 Should any errors, concerns, or inconsistencies arise from the content provided in this press release that require attention or if a press release needs to be taken down, we kindly request that you immediately contact us at [email protected] (it is important to note that this email is the authorized channel for such matters, sending multiple emails to multiple addresses does not necessarily help expedite your request). Our efficient team will be at your disposal for timely assistance within 8 hours – taking necessary measures to rectify identified issues or providing guidance on the removal process. We prioritize delivering accurate and reliable information.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
History from New Journal archives: Coons as NCCo executive, rescue of last covered bridges
"Pages of history" features excerpts from The News Journal archives including The Morning News and The Evening Journal. See the archives at June 22, 2005, The News Journal The small green-and-white signs outside the New Castle County Government Center beckon visitors and employees to 'please play on the grass.' It's more than a friendly sentiment from County Executive Chris A. Coons, who commissioned the signs shortly after he took office in January. The message is symbolic of his leadership and what he hopes is a sea change from the previous administration, when the signs in front of the glass-front building read 'please stay off the grass.' Former county executive Tom Gordon and his chief administrative officer Sherry Freebery are under federal indictment for alleged corruption. Since Coons took the helm, he has been working to establish a different tenor inside the halls of county government. He has tackled some of the big things: getting County Council approval of a $214 million budget; examining the operations of major county departments, including police; starting programs to address rentals, neglected and abandoned property; and coming up with nontraditional employee incentives. He's also pounced on some little things, such as the new 'please play on the grass' signs, to set himself apart from his predecessor. In fact, there is a growing list of actions Coons has taken to dismantle what Gordon and Freebery left behind. Gordon renamed the Newark Free Library when it became part of the county system. Coons gave it back the old name. Gordon removed the nonprofit Friends of Rockwood volunteers from the historic Rockwood Mansion after disagreements over the mansion's contents and operation. Coons invited the group back into the house. ... Gordon has openly criticized Coons, saying the new executive is trying to steal his legacy instead of creating one of his own. But Coons says it's not about Gordon. 'If you look at how I conducted my campaign, it wasn't about any of my opponents,' Coons said. 'Some things were done right. Some things were done wrong. You take the right and build on it, and leave the wrong and move on.' As president of County Council during Gordon's tenure, Coons often found himself at odds with the two top leaders. But now that he's in the executive's chair, he's forging ahead with some initiatives once blocked by Gordon. For example, the council is poised to approve a new code to regulate rental properties. Coons failed to get the measure through council when he was president because, he said, Gordon lined up support against him. ... Gordon says Coons has done nothing of substance yet and is still enjoying the honeymoon that comes with being newly elected. ... 'He didn't set the world on fire as president of council,' Gordon said. 'We changed the course of county government. We're the reason the Newark Library is there. We built Rockwood Park. We changed land use procedures. I upgraded the salaries of women who were not being paid commensurate with the men. He'll never accomplish half of our accomplishments.' Recent news about Chris Coons: 'This is life and death': How Trump's proposed Medicaid cuts could impact Delawareans June 24, 1925, The Evening Journal Somewhere in the West, a Wilmington boy in whose veins there lurks a drop of Nomadic blood, is learning the ways of the men who have become the most romantic figures of American song and story – the western cowboy. The boy is Charles A. Wilson, 17, of Concord Street, who has been missing from his home since May 20. His mother has heard indirectly that the youth is in Oklahoma and that he intends to become a cattleman like the heroes of the screen and stories of the plains which he has seen and read since childhood. Charles' father died six days after the boy left home, presumably with Ringling Brothers' Circus. His uncle sent out word of the missing youth, and the news of his father's death was radioed from stations in Philadelphia and the West. The boy learned in this manner of the death of his father, but wrote to one of his companions in Wilmington that he couldn't get home as he had only 70 cents. He is said to have expressed regret at the death of his father but wrote that it was impossible to get home. Mrs. Wilson said today she would not try to induce her son to return as he would be of little use to her when under restraint and that since early childhood he had always wanted to become a cowboy. The family paid little attention to the boy's threats to run away until the day he failed to come home. Mrs. Wilson said he was a reader of western stories and loved to go see western pictures at the movies. ... She said he was always a dutiful son. Catch up on history: History April 27-May 3 from News Journal: Explosion kills 2, lottery $186,000 over budget June 26, 1975, The Morning News The only two covered bridges left in the state, long-time victims of neglect and vandalism, soon should be rescued. The bridges over Red Clay Creek near Ashland and Wooddale were probably built before 1850, according to Edward F. Heite, historic registrar in the state division of historical and cultural affairs. Vandals have hacked their initials into both bridges, and in March, someone set fire to the Wooddale bridge. ... Heite and Robert McDowell, the state's bridge engineer, explained what is being done to keep the last two covered bridges in the state from following 34 others into history books and old photographs. At Ashland, the state plans to build a new bridge alongside the old one, to detour heavy traffic from it. Then the state will renovate the covered bridge for pedestrians. Money for the 1976 project is in the state's bond bill. At Wooddale, repairs would come under the federally funded National Register of Historic Places program. The project will include repairs, paint and installation of a fire alarm. A separate, modern bridge would not be built because the Wooddale bridge is only used for access to a few private homes and does not carry as heavy a traffic load as the Ashland bridge does. Reach reporter Ben Mace at rmace@ This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: History from New Journal: Coons as NCCo executive, last covered bridges
