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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.

John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images
Deals
Biogen Boosts Neuro Pipeline with $7.3B Reata Buy Amid Layoffs
Following a sweeping cost-cutting plan announced earlier this week, including an 11% workforce reduction, Biogen is acquiring Reata Pharmaceuticals to bolster its neurological and rare disease pipeline.
July 28, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: A sign in front of a Takeda building/iSt
Drug Development
Takeda Likely to Drop Rare Genetic Disease Candidate After Phase II Fail
Despite beating analyst expectations, Takeda sustains a mid-stage defeat in a rare genetic disorder, leaving the fate of an investigational enzyme replacement therapy uncertain.
July 28, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: A sign with the Merck logo surrounded by
Drug Development
Merck’s Pneumococcal Shot Claims Back-to-Back Phase III Wins
Two late-stage trial wins for Merck’s V116 investigational pneumococcal vaccine could make it a serious challenger to Pfizer’s Prevnar 20 in the space.
July 28, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
FDA signage at its office in Maryland
Policy
FDA Action Alert: Mesoblast, Sage/Biogen and Galera
The FDA has three upcoming action dates in the next two weeks, including a highly anticipated decision regarding Biogen and Sage’s depression drug zuranolone.
July 27, 2023
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4 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Roche tower in Basel, Switzerland
Business
Roche Drops Hemophilia A Candidate, Prepares for the Impacts of IRA
Amid the impending drug pricing pressures from the Inflation Reduction Act, Roche is discontinuing a mid-stage hemophilia A gene therapy candidate and four early-stage hopefuls.
July 27, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Man holding a cell phone in front of com
Business
Sage Stock Drops Despite Promising Phase III Depression Data
With partner Biogen mum on zuranolone’s prospects as an FDA August 5 review deadline approaches, Sage Therapeutics’ stock fell Wednesday to its lowest level in months.
July 27, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: GSK's headquarters in London
Business
GSK Expects Slower Uptake of RSV Vaccine Amid Record Sales for Shingles Shot
While GlaxoSmithKline is anticipating a slower uptake of respiratory syncytial virus vaccine Arexvy, CEO Emma Walmsley said Wednesday the company is pinning much of its growth on the vaccine’s performance.
July 26, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Doorway at the FTC building in Washingto
Policy
FTC Lawsuit Holds Up IQVIA’s Advertising Acquisition of Propel Media
The Federal Trade Commission’s increased scrutiny of mergers has now hit IQVIA, whose proposed acquisition of Propel Media has been challenged by the watchdog agency.
July 26, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Sign at FibroGen's headquarters in Calif
Business
FibroGen CEO Resigns Amid Clinical Losing Streak, Layoffs
Following several clinical failures for its candidates Roxadustat and pamrevlumab, FibroGen CEO Enrique Conterno is stepping down for “personal reasons,” the company announced Tuesday.
July 26, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Illustration of a liver with tumors/iSto
Drug Development
Elevar Touts First-line Potential of Rivoceranib in Phase III Liver Cancer Trial
Late-stage data, which showed significant overall and progression-free survival benefits in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma patients, supports Elevar’s New Drug Application filed in May 2023.
July 25, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: 3D illustration of antibody-drug conjugates with their toxic payloads
Business
ImmunoGen Inks Cancer ADC Partnership with ImmunoBiochem
The license and option deal, for an undisclosed amount, seeks to develop potentially first-in-class antibody-drug conjugate candidates against different oncology targets.
July 25, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Teva U.S. headquarters in New Jersey/iSt
Business
Alvotech Expands Biosimilar Collaboration with Teva Amid Manufacturing Woes
Following two BLA rejections for its Humira biosimilar, Alvotech is expanding its partnership with Teva Pharmaceuticals, which will enable the latter to have greater involvement with quality and control.
July 25, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Alnylam headquarters in Massachusetts/iS
Business
Roche, Alnylam Ink Potential $2.8B RNAi Partnership for Hypertension
With an upfront payment of $310 million in cash, Roche is partnering with Alnylam to develop the latter’s RNA interference candidate zilebesiran for hypertension patients with high cardiovascular risk.
July 24, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Gilead's corporate headquarters in Silicon Valley
Drug Development
Gilead Ends Late-Stage Trial for Magrolimab in Blood Cancer Treatment
Despite the lifting of the FDA’s partial clinical hold, Gilead will discontinue magrolimab’s development in higher-risk myelodysplastic syndromes after a Phase III study met the bar for futility.
July 24, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Pfizer' sign at its La Jolla campus/iSto
Drug Development
Pfizer, Gilead, GSK to Capture Growing Infectious Diseases Market as J&J Pulls Back
The infectious diseases market is expected to reach $150 billion in sales by 2029, with three pharma giants reaping most of its benefits, according to data analytics and consultancy GlobalData.
July 24, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
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