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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.

Front view of the White House
Policy
Biden Calls for Expanding IRA’s Drug Price Negotiation Program
President Joe Biden has proposed expansions to the Inflation Reduction Act, including an increase in the annual number of prescription drugs that would be subject to price negotiations to 50, up from 20.
March 7, 2024
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4 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Nasdaq signage and building in New York City
Deals
Cancer-Focused Boundless Bio to Go Public as 2024 IPO Rally Continues
The early-stage oncology startup filed for an initial public offering on Wednesday, seeking funds to help develop its novel cancer therapies targeting extrachromosomal DNA.
March 7, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland/
WHO Warns of Growing Resistance in Individuals to GSK, ViiV’s HIV Drug Tivicay
The World Health Organization has detected signals of growing HIV resistance to GSK and ViiV Healthcare’s Tivicay, which it says must be minimized as part of the broader global response to antimicrobial resistance.
March 6, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: FDA signage at its office in Washington, DC
FDA
Sandoz Nabs FDA Approvals for First Two Biosimilars for Amgen’s Denosumab
Sandoz’s two interchangeable biosimilars, Jubbonti and Xgeva, are poised to challenge Amgen’s blockbuster bone drug denosumab. However, no launch details were announced Tuesday due to ongoing patent litigation.
March 6, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: NHS sign on a building/iStock, TkKurikaw
Policy
UK’s NICE Rejects AstraZeneca, Daiichi Sankyo’s Enhertu for NHS Use
Despite its overall survival and disease progression benefits, the U.K.’s drug cost watchdog has declined to recommend AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo’s Enhertu due to a lack of cost-effectiveness.
March 6, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Novo Nordisk's corporate headquarters in Denmark
Drug Development
Novo’s Ozempic Poised for Cardiometabolic Expansion with New Phase III Data
After stopping the study early due to strong efficacy, Novo Nordisk released data from the FLOW study showing significant benefits of semaglutide in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease.
March 5, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
FDA signage at its office in Maryland
FDA
Eyenovia, Formosa Win FDA Approval for Anti-Inflammatory Eye Drops
The regulator has approved Eyenovia and Formosa’s ophthalmic clobetasol propionate solution to ease eye inflammation and pain after surgery, with a potential $1.3 billion market.
March 5, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Doctor injecting Botox into the forehead
FDA
Hugel Challenges Botox with FDA Approval for Neurotoxin Injection for Frown Lines
Hugel America has won the FDA’s approval for Letybo, authorized for the treatment of frown lines in adults, which is poised to challenge AbbVie’s blockbuster Botox.
March 5, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: 3D illustration of a damaged liver/iStoc
Drug Development
Akero Bounces Back in MASH, Posts Positive Mid-Stage Fibrosis Data
New 96-week data show Akero Therapeutics’ efruxifermin can improve fibrosis by at least one stage without metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis worsening in more patients versus placebo.
March 4, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Illustration of a motor neuron being deg
Drug Development
ALS Treatment Landscape ‘Primed’ with Over 100 Candidates: GlobalData
Amid the limitations of current therapies for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a new GlobalData report points to novel disease-modifying drug approaches that could transform the space.
March 4, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: J&J's office in Madrid, Spain
FDA
J&J Wins Full FDA Approval for Rybrevant, Chemo Combo in NSCLC
Rybrevant has been approved for use with carboplatin and pemetrexed in the first-line treatment of locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer with exon 20 insertion mutations in the EGFR gene.
March 4, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Elderly man getting vaccinated by a heal
Policy
RSV Shots May Slightly Raise Risk of Rare Autoimmune Disorder in Older Adults
The FDA and CDC warned Thursday of a small increased risk of developing Guillain-Barré syndrome in older adults after immunization with respiratory syncytial virus vaccines from GSK and Pfizer.
March 1, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Gilead's headquarters in Silicon Valley/
Business
Gilead Secures $210M from VC to Build Trodelvy’s Clinical Case in NSCLC
Retaining the full rights to Trodelvy, Gilead now has access to $210 million in financing from venture capital firm Abingworth to help push the antibody-drug conjugate into non-small cell lung cancer studies.
March 1, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Pfizer's signage outside its office in Canada/iStock, JHVEPhoto
Pfizer Focuses on Four Main Cancer Types, Eyes Eight Blockbusters by 2030
At Thursday’s Oncology Innovation Day, Pfizer laid out its business strategy which includes building up its biologics business, specifically antibody-drug conjugates and bispecific antibodies.
March 1, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: A scientist with pill bottles in front of FDA headquarters/Taylor Tieden for BioSpace
Policy
FDA Action Alert: Vanda, Eyenovia and Viatris/Mapi
The FDA will kick off March with three target action dates, including one for an insomnia treatment and another for a multiple sclerosis therapy.
February 29, 2024
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3 min read
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Tristan Manalac
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