Acadia Pharmaceuticals has some star power behind a recently launched education campaign that will boost awareness of Parkinson’s-related hallucinations and delusions. Actor Ryan Reynolds, who plays Deadpool in Disney’s summer blockbuster “Deadpool & Wolverine” film, joins Acadia in the campaign.
Acadia’s NUPLAZID medication treats the symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease psychosis. Reynolds’ late father Jim experienced hallucinations and delusions. The campaign, which also includes Reynolds’ mother Tammy, aims to raise awareness among people with Parkinson’s disease, their families and their doctors about how to talk about and treat these non-motor symptoms. Acadia CEO Steve Davis said there is “a significant gap” in awareness that hallucinations and delusions can be signs of Parkinson’s disease.
Acadia is currently in Phase 2/3 trials for a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease psychosis. The company’s latest earning report showed revenue up 46% YOY.
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Comic-Con is expanding its fan experience beyond the annual event in San Diego. The geek pop culture celebration is setting sail in February 2025 on Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas for the inaugural “Comic-Con: The Cruise” event, held in partnership with Entertainment Cruise Productions.
The five-day cruise ships out from Tampa, Florida and stops in Cozumel, Mexico. The event will feature stars of the television series “Battlestar Galactica” as a nod to the 20th anniversary of its release.
Tickets range from $990 to $4,330, but for one lucky pair, a $4,144 ocean view cabin can be won in the comicconthecruise.com/contest/ by entering by Sept. 4. If not, Comic-Con will return to San Diego for its annual event in July.
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The Port of San Diego is exploring the economic viability of cultivating shellfish and seaweed. The Port has released a discussion draft of a proposed Shellfish and Seaweed Aquaculture Program.
The Port is asking for input from potential stakeholders on the policies, procedures, and best practices the Port would apply when considering future shellfish and seaweed aquaculture proposals. Aquaculture is expected to grow in the state, but business has traditionally been hampered by permitting and environmental review processes. California has not issued a new aquaculture lease in over 30 years.
Seaweed production is of particular interest to the Port which has two aquaculture businesses in its Blue Economy Incubator that have attracted investments, including Sunken Seaweed, a seaweed farm that produces 500 pounds of edible seaweed a week.
Comments on the SSAP Discussion Draft are being accepted through Oct. 25. For more information, visitportofsandiego.org/aquaculture.
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High school students interested in artificial intelligence are encouraged to apply for a no-cost AI bootcamp hosted by the Mark Cuban Foundation.
The camp will be held in San Diego on Nov. 2, 9 and 16, and will teach students what AI is, AI ethics, how to utilize ChatGPT and how to use Microsoft tools to build their own AI applications.
The “Shark Tank” star and billionaire businessman Cuban stated that it is “crucial” to teach AI to young people as the technology “continues to become an undeniable force in all of our lives.”
Applications for the bootcamp, found at markcubanai.org, are due by Sept. 30.
