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Tristan Manalac

Tristan Manalac

Contributing Writer | News

Tristan is an independent science writer based in Metro Manila, with more than eight years of experience writing about medicine, biotech and science. Being formally trained in molecular biology, he once dreamed of collecting degrees and starting his own lab. But these days, he finds his greatest joy in a bottle of beer and a beautiful sentence. He can be reached at tristan.manalac@biospace.com, tristan@tristanmanalac.com or on LinkedIn.

Mergers & acquisitions
Novartis Drops up to $1.7B to Bolster Oligo Pipeline With Regulus Buy
At the heart of the acquisition is Regulus’ farabursen, an miRNA-targeting oligonucleotide in early-stage development for rare autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.
April 30, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Poznan, Poland - 5 October 2024: GSK -Glaxosmithkline headquarters office building in Poznan.
Earnings
GSK Optimistic About M&A Prospects Despite Trump Tariff Threats
GSK’s dealmaking will be “cautious and disciplined” under the current trade war, but the pharma will focus on looking for “opportunities created” amid these tensions, according to CEO Emma Walmsley. The company also reported a 4% earnings bump for the quarter.
April 30, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Dollar banknote cut into pieces on a yellow background
Mergers & acquisitions
Major Shareholder Opposes Acelyrin’s Merger With Alumis, Prefers Wind-Down
It’s been a fraught road for the proposed merger between Acelyrin and Alumis, with Tang Capital’s Concentra Biosciences in February threatening to upend the deal with a proposed $3-per-share acquisition of Acelyrin.
April 30, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
An obstacle to achieving a goal. Concerns and issues. Break through the refusal barrier. Face problems and challenges.
Prostate cancer
AstraZeneca’s Truqap Posts Another Pivotal Disappointment as Phase III Prostate Cancer Study Fails
The drug, a small molecule protein inhibitor, brought in $132 million in the first quarter, missing consensus estimates by 17%.
April 30, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: AstraZeneca's manufacturing facility in Sweden
Pipeline
AstraZeneca Abandons Neuroscience, Prioritizes Weight Loss, Immunology
Following the recent discontinuations of assets in Alzheimer’s and migraine, AstraZeneca is stepping away from neuro altogether.
April 29, 2025
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3 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Trendy halftone collage with business concept. Career success concept, business goal,achieve goal, progress in career, make efforts to grow professionally. Teamwork. Hand finish ladder, helping to climb higher. Template for web banner, social media banner. Vector illustration
Vaccines
HHS Unfreezes Vaxart’s COVID-19 Study, Resumes Funding as Headwinds Batter Vaccines Space
While Vaxart can proceed with its study, fellow COVID-19 vaccine developers GeoVax and Novavax continue to be hamstrung by various regulatory roadblocks.
April 29, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Modern collage with halftone hands give and take money. Financial transaction. Money investments. Cash payment. Pay for something
Mergers & acquisitions
Biohaven Grabs a Foothold With $600M Windfall From Oberland Capital
Biohaven will use the money to bankroll commercial preparations for the spinocerebellar ataxia drug candidate troriluzole, which is currently under FDA review with a decision expected in the third quarter.
April 29, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
A monoclonal antibody (mAb or moAb) is an antibody made by cloning a unique white blood cell. All subsequent antibodies derived this way trace back to a unique parent cell. Coronavirus. 3d render
Bladder cancer
Pfizer’s Subcutaneous PD-1 Cuts Risks in Bladder Cancer but Misses Survival Endpoint
Pfizer’s sasanlimab, when used with standard of care, reduced the likelihood of disease recurrence or progression, death due to any cause or persistence of cancer cells by 32% in patients with high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.
April 28, 2025
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1 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Hands holding bladder, cystitis, urethritis and Urinary Incontinence, bladder cancer concept
Bladder cancer
J&J Declares ‘Sustained Disease Control’ With Bladder Cancer Drug-Device Combo
The targeted drug release device TAR-200 shows promising response and disease-free survival rates in specific populations of patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer.
April 28, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Creative design. Business people, managers, employees discussing strategy for achieving goal and success. Working on growth. Concept of teamwork,analytics, business, career development, promotion
Cancer
Perioperative Keytruda Cuts Risk of Negative Events by Over 25% in Head and Neck Cancer
The FDA is currently reviewing Merck’s sBLA for Keytruda in head and neck cancer, with a target action date of June 23.
April 28, 2025
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1 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Contemporary art collage. Hand put money to golden stack of coins, meaning income from investment. Concept of business strategy, investment, development, market, finance.
Mergers & acquisitions
Merck KGaA Moves Ahead on SpringWorks Buy for $3.9B
The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2025. With the deal, Merck KGaA is adding to its rare disease and oncology pipelines.
April 28, 2025
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3 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Female hand showing thumbs up gesture on blue background, art collage. Positive hand sign. Fashion collage in the style of Thumbs up magazine. Contemporary art. Modern design.
Cancer
Summit, Akeso’s Keytruda Challenger Wins Chinese OK as US Approval Questions Linger
With ivonescimab’s data coming solely from China, its prospects in the U.S., where Summit owns the rights, remain up in the air.
April 28, 2025
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3 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Stagflation, economic slow down or recession while inflation high up, GDP growth decrease causing by unemployment concept, fearful businessman riding fall down economic graph with inflation high up.
Immunology and inflammation
Vyne Crashes After Safety Signal in Dogs Puts Hold on Clinical Trial of Plaque Psoriasis
The hold, placed by the FDA on an early-stage clinical trial of an experimental BET inhibitor, stems from a recent observation of testicular toxicity in canines given the treatment.
April 25, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Creative photo collage or modern art collage featuring symbols of law and justice. Hand holding a gavel and scales of justice with books about law.
Legal
Judge Rules Against Semaglutide Compounders After Shortage Declared Over
Big compounders will have until May 22 to stop producing and dispensing compounded semaglutide, while smaller, state-run pharmacies must immediately stop making copies of the blockbuster drug.
April 25, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Gilead's headquarters in Silicon Valley
Earnings
Gilead’s PrEP Launch Full Speed Ahead Despite Macro Pressures on HIV Space
Despite steep budget and staffing cuts at the FDA in recent weeks and other headwinds, Gilead CEO Daniel O’Day assured investors that the pharma’s plans and preparations for lenacapavir’s launch remain on track.
April 25, 2025
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3 min read
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Tristan Manalac
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