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WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court seemed likely Wednesday to uphold Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care for minors. The justices' decision, not expected for several months, could affect similar laws enacted by another 25 states and a range of other efforts to regulate the lives of transgender people, including which sports competitions they can join and which restrooms they can use. The case is being weighed by a conservative-dominated court after a presidential election in which Donald Trump and his allies promised to roll back protections for transgender people. The Biden administration's top Supreme Court lawyer warned a decision favorable to Tennessee also could be used to justify nationwide restrictions on transgender health care for minors. Supporters of transgender rights rally Wednesday outside the Supreme Court in Washington. In arguments that lasted more than two hours, five of the six conservative justices voiced varying degrees of skepticism over arguments made by the administration and Chase Strangio, the ACLU lawyer for Tennessee families challenging the ban. People are also reading... Statesville native Tomlin leads Delaware State to MEAC volleyball title, NCAA berth Trump, Musk can learn from North Carolina, Raleigh writer says Top vote-getter Houpe: Why am I not chairman of Iredell board of commissioners? Iredell-Statesville Schools closed Tuesday due to snow, ice Letter to the editor: Charging kids to play baseball at Jennings Park is poor idea Iredell-Statesville Schools nutrition department receives award 4 pounds of marijuana, gun seized by Mooresville police officers 'The Message' religious sect sprouts destructive groups across globe Tiny, 4 more dogs seeking homes at Iredell County Animal Services North Dakota man brings shed-building expertise to Troutman New school chairman rules 2 fellow board members out of order in Iredell 3 Eagle Scouts and 1 grateful Iredell County resident Women report widespread misogyny in churches tied to religious group 'The Message' Lake Norman residents voice concerns with Marshall Steam Station changes Iredell County woman celebrates $100,000 scratch-off win Chief Justice John Roberts, who voted in the majority in a 2020 case in favor of transgender rights, questioned whether judges, rather than lawmakers, should weigh in on a question of regulating medical procedures, an area usually left to the states. "The Constitution leaves that question to the people's representatives, rather than to nine people, none of whom is a doctor," Roberts said in an exchange with Strangio. Justice Neil Gorsuch, who wrote the majority opinion in 2020, said nothing during the arguments. The court's three liberal justices seemed firmly on the side of the challengers, but it's not clear that any conservatives will go along. People attend a rally March 31, 2023, as part of a Transgender Day of Visibility, near the Capitol in Washington. Justice Sonia Sotomayor pushed back against the assertion that the democratic process would be the best way to address objections to the law. She cited a history of laws discriminating against others, noting that transgender people make up less than 1% of the U.S. population, according to studies. There are an estimated 1.3 million adults and 300,000 adolescents ages 13 to 17 who identify as transgender, according the UCLA law school's Williams Institute. "Blacks were a much larger part of the population and it didn't protect them. It didn't protect women for whole centuries," Sotomayor said in an exchange with Tennessee Solicitor General Matt Rice. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson said she saw some troubling parallels between arguments made by Tennessee and those advanced by Virginia and rejected by a unanimous court, in the 1967 Loving decision that legalized interracial marriage nationwide. Quoting from that decision, Jackson noted that Virginia argued then that "the scientific evidence is substantially in doubt and, consequently, the court should defer to the wisdom of the state legislature." ACLU lawyer Chase Strangio, left, and plaintiff Joaquin Carcano address reporters after a June 25, 2018, hearing in Winston-Salem, N.C., on their lawsuit challenging the law that replaced North Carolina's "bathroom bill." Justice Samuel Alito repeatedly pressed Strangio, the first openly transgender lawyer to argue at the nation's highest court, about whether transgender people should be legally designated as a group that's susceptible to discrimination. Strangio answered that being transgender does fit that legal definition, though he acknowledged under Alito's questioning there are a small number of people who de-transition. "So it's not an immutable characteristic, is it?" Alito said. Strangio did not retreat from his view, though he said the court did not have to decide the issue to resolve the case in his clients' favor. There were dueling rallies outside the court in the hours before the arguments. Speeches and music filled the air on the sidewalk below the court's marble steps. Advocates of the ban bore signs like "Champion God's Design" and "Kids Health Matters," while the other side proclaimed "Fight like a Mother for Trans Rights" and "Freedom to be Ourselves." Four years ago, the court ruled in favor of Aimee Stephens, who was fired by a Michigan funeral home after she informed its owner she was a transgender woman. The court held that transgender people, as well as gay and lesbian people, are protected by a landmark federal civil rights law that prohibits sex discrimination in the workplace. The Biden administration and the families and health care providers who challenged the Tennessee law urged the justices to apply the same sort of analysis that the majority, made up of liberal and conservative justices, embraced in the case four years ago when it found that "sex plays an unmistakable role" in employers' decisions to punish transgender people for traits and behavior they otherwise tolerate. Demonstrators against transgender rights protest Wednesday during a rally outside of the Supreme Court in Washington. The issue in the Tennessee case is whether the law violates the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment, which requires the government to treat similarly situated people the same. Tennessee's law bans puberty blockers and hormone treatments for transgender minors, but allows the same drugs to be used for other purposes. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar, the administration's top Supreme Court lawyer, called the law sex-based line drawing to ban the use of drugs that have been safely prescribed for decades and said the state "decided to completely override the views of the patients, the parents, the doctors." She contrasted the Tennessee law with one enacted by West Virginia, which set conditions for the health care for transgender minors, but stopped short of an outright ban. Gender-affirming care for youth is supported by every major medical organization, including the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Psychiatric Association. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.BERWYN, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 21, 2024-- Virpax Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRPX) (“Virpax” or the “Company”) , a company specializing in developing pharmaceutical products for pain management, announced that it has been granted an extension of its cooperative research and development agreement with the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), an institute/center of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This collaboration is for the continued development of Virpax’s product candidate, NES100, an intranasal peptide, for the management of acute and chronic non-cancer pain. NES100 is an enkephalin drug product based on a type of nanotechnology delivery approach. Enkephalin is a naturally occurring (endogenous) peptide that is not easily administered in its original form. We believe that the nanotechnology may enable and enhance the delivery of this metabolically labile peptide drug into the brain. NES100 is the first investigational product formulation delivered via the nasal route with the potential to enhance enkephalin transport to the brain. NES100 uses a preassembled device and cartridge to propel the enkephalin formulation through the nose to the brain by flowing along the olfactory nerve pathway. The Molecular Envelope Technology (MET) is designed to protect and help carry the drug to the brain with the goal of promptly suppressing pain by binding to the delta opioid receptors. NES100 has demonstrated analgesic potential in animal models without the development of opioid tolerance, withdrawal, respiratory depression, euphoria, or addiction associated with use of opioids. Jatinder Dhaliwal, Chief Executive Officer of Virpax, commented, "We are excited that this collaboration has been extended with NCATS and the NIH Helping to End Addiction Long-term (HEAL) initiative as we believe that it may help Virpax develop an effective and safe alternative to conventional opioids used by patients to manage acute and chronic pain. We believe that the NIH/NCATS collaborative agreement will enable our team to maintain momentum in both our pre-clinical and clinical development strategies." About Virpax Pharmaceuticals Virpax is developing branded, non-addictive pain management products candidates using its proprietary technologies to optimize and target drug delivery. Virpax is initially seeking FDA approval for two prescription drug candidates that employ two different patented drug delivery platforms. ProbudurTM is a single injection liposomal bupivacaine formulation being developed to manage post-operative pain and EnveltaTM is an intranasal molecular envelope enkephalin formulation being developed to manage acute and chronic pain, including pain associated with cancer. Virpax is also using its intranasal Molecular Envelope Technology (MET) to develop one other prescription product candidate, NobrXiolTM, which is being developed for the nasal delivery of a pharmaceutical-grade cannabidiol (CBD) for the management of rare pediatric epilepsy. Virpax has competitive cooperative research and development agreements (CRADAs) for two of its prescription drug candidates, one with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and one with the Department of Defense (DOD). Virpax is also seeking partners for two nonprescription product candidates: AnQlar, which is being developed to inhibit viral replication caused by influenza or SARS-CoV-2, and EpoladermTM, which is a topical diclofenac spray film formulation being developed to manage pain associated with osteoarthritis. For more information, please visit https://www.virpaxpharma.com .and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, including those described below. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the industry and markets in which we operate and management’s current beliefs and assumptions. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking expressions, including, but not limited to, “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “estimate,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would” and similar expressions and the negatives of those terms. These statements relate to future events and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, including the additional capital which will be necessary to complete studies and clinical trials that the Company plans to initiate and other factors listed under “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q that the Company has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241121242163/en/ CONTACT: Investor Contact: info@virpaxpharma.com KEYWORD: PENNSYLVANIA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: BIOTECHNOLOGY MEDICAL DEVICES HEALTH PHARMACEUTICAL MEDICAL SUPPLIES SOURCE: Virpax Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 11/21/2024 04:05 PM/DISC: 11/21/2024 04:06 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241121242163/en
Supreme Court seems likely to uphold Tennessee's ban on treatments for transgender minorsXcel Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:XEL) Given Consensus Rating of “Moderate Buy” by AnalystsAlphabet GOOGL underwent analysis by 32 analysts in the last quarter, revealing a spectrum of viewpoints from bullish to bearish. The following table encapsulates their recent ratings, offering a glimpse into the evolving sentiments over the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months. Bullish Somewhat Bullish Indifferent Somewhat Bearish Bearish Total Ratings 9 15 8 0 0 Last 30D 0 1 0 0 0 1M Ago 0 0 0 0 0 2M Ago 7 8 4 0 0 3M Ago 2 6 4 0 0 Analysts have set 12-month price targets for Alphabet, revealing an average target of $204.88, a high estimate of $225.00, and a low estimate of $182.00. This upward trend is evident, with the current average reflecting a 1.82% increase from the previous average price target of $201.22. Deciphering Analyst Ratings: An In-Depth Analysis A comprehensive examination of how financial experts perceive Alphabet is derived from recent analyst actions. The following is a detailed summary of key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets. Analyst Analyst Firm Action Taken Rating Current Price Target Prior Price Target Colin Sebastian Baird Maintains Outperform $205.00 $205.00 Alan Gould Loop Capital Raises Hold $185.00 $170.00 Michael Levine Pivotal Research Raises Buy $225.00 $215.00 Mark Shmulik Bernstein Raises Market Perform $185.00 $180.00 Andrew Boone JMP Securities Raises Market Outperform $220.00 $200.00 Deepak Mathivanan Cantor Fitzgerald Maintains Neutral $190.00 $190.00 Rohit Kulkarni Roth MKM Raises Buy $212.00 $206.00 Justin Patterson Keybanc Raises Overweight $215.00 $200.00 Thomas Champion Piper Sandler Raises Overweight $210.00 $200.00 Brad Erickson RBC Capital Raises Outperform $210.00 $204.00 Youssef Squali Truist Securities Raises Buy $225.00 $220.00 Ken Gawrelski Wells Fargo Raises Equal-Weight $187.00 $182.00 Mark Mahaney Evercore ISI Group Raises Outperform $205.00 $200.00 Brian Pitz BMO Capital Raises Outperform $217.00 $215.00 Brian Nowak Morgan Stanley Raises Overweight $205.00 $190.00 Justin Post B of A Securities Raises Buy $210.00 $206.00 Laura Martin Needham Maintains Buy $210.00 $210.00 Scott Devitt Wedbush Maintains Outperform $205.00 $205.00 Youssef Squali Truist Securities Raises Buy $220.00 $196.00 Laura Martin Needham Maintains Buy $210.00 $210.00 Deepak Mathivanan Cantor Fitzgerald Maintains Neutral $190.00 $190.00 Brian Pitz BMO Capital Lowers Outperform $215.00 $222.00 Ken Gawrelski Wells Fargo Lowers Equal-Weight $182.00 $190.00 Thomas Champion Piper Sandler Maintains Overweight $200.00 $200.00 Deepak Mathivanan Cantor Fitzgerald Maintains Neutral $190.00 $190.00 Ivan Feinseth Tigress Financial Raises Strong Buy $220.00 $210.00 Andrew Boone JMP Securities Maintains Market Outperform $200.00 $200.00 Deepak Mathivanan Cantor Fitzgerald Maintains Neutral $190.00 $190.00 Youssef Squali Truist Securities Maintains Buy $196.00 $196.00 Andrew Boone JMP Securities Maintains Market Outperform $200.00 $200.00 Brian Pitz BMO Capital Maintains Outperform $222.00 $222.00 Mark Mahaney Evercore ISI Group Lowers Outperform $200.00 $225.00 Key Insights: Action Taken: Analysts respond to changes in market conditions and company performance, frequently updating their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their reaction to recent developments related to Alphabet. This information offers a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company. Rating: Analysts assign qualitative assessments to stocks, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings convey the analysts' expectations for the relative performance of Alphabet compared to the broader market. Price Targets: Analysts gauge the dynamics of price targets, providing estimates for the future value of Alphabet's stock. This comparison reveals trends in analysts' expectations over time. Understanding these analyst evaluations alongside key financial indicators can offer valuable insights into Alphabet's market standing. Stay informed and make well-considered decisions with our Ratings Table. Stay up to date on Alphabet analyst ratings. About Alphabet Alphabet is a holding company that wholly owns internet giant Google. The California-based company derives slightly less than 90% of its revenue from Google services, the vast majority of which is advertising sales. Alongside online ads, Google services houses sales stemming from Google's subscription services (YouTube TV, YouTube Music among others), platforms (sales and in-app purchases on Play Store), and devices (Chromebooks, Pixel smartphones, and smart home products such as Chromecast). Google's cloud computing platform, or GCP, accounts for roughly 10% of Alphabet's revenue with the firm's investments in up-and-coming technologies such as self-driving cars (Waymo), health (Verily), and internet access (Google Fiber) making up the rest. Financial Milestones: Alphabet's Journey Market Capitalization Analysis: The company's market capitalization surpasses industry averages, showcasing a dominant size relative to peers and suggesting a strong market position. Revenue Growth: Over the 3 months period, Alphabet showcased positive performance, achieving a revenue growth rate of 15.09% as of 30 September, 2024. This reflects a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. As compared to its peers, the company achieved a growth rate higher than the average among peers in Communication Services sector. Net Margin: The company's net margin is a standout performer, exceeding industry averages. With an impressive net margin of 29.8%, the company showcases strong profitability and effective cost control. Return on Equity (ROE): The company's ROE is a standout performer, exceeding industry averages. With an impressive ROE of 8.55%, the company showcases effective utilization of equity capital. Return on Assets (ROA): The company's ROA is a standout performer, exceeding industry averages. With an impressive ROA of 6.22%, the company showcases effective utilization of assets. Debt Management: Alphabet's debt-to-equity ratio is below industry norms, indicating a sound financial structure with a ratio of 0.09 . Analyst Ratings: Simplified Analysts are specialists within banking and financial systems that typically report for specific stocks or within defined sectors. These people research company financial statements, sit in conference calls and meetings, and speak with relevant insiders to determine what are known as analyst ratings for stocks. Typically, analysts will rate each stock once a quarter. Some analysts also offer predictions for helpful metrics such as earnings, revenue, and growth estimates to provide further guidance as to what to do with certain tickers. It is important to keep in mind that while stock and sector analysts are specialists, they are also human and can only forecast their beliefs to traders. Which Stocks Are Analysts Recommending Now? Benzinga Edge gives you instant access to all major analyst upgrades, downgrades, and price targets. Sort by accuracy, upside potential, and more. Click here to stay ahead of the market . This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
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