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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.

Pictured: Mark Cuban/Courtesy of Roy Rochlin/Getty
Business
Coherus to Offer 85% Discount for its Humira Biosimilar
The company’s Humira biosimilar Yusimry will launch in July with a $995 list price. Mark Cuban’s online pharmacy will sell it at a list price of $569.27 plus fees.
June 2, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Blue and white Pfizer sign on building/c
Drug Development
Pfizer’s Antibiotic Combo Clears Phase III, Shows Promise Against Multidrug Resistance
The company’s aztreonam-avibactam matched the cure rate of a meropenem-based regimen in patients with drug-resistant infections.
June 2, 2023
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3 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: FDA Action Alert logo/@Nicole Bean for B
Policy
FDA Action Alert: Merck, Sanofi/AstraZeneca and Eisai/Biogen
The FDA has three high-profile events this week, including one target action date and two advisory committee meetings—one to discuss potential traditional approval for Alzheimer’s drug Leqembi.
June 1, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Jonathan Weiss/Shutterstock
FDA
AstraZeneca Wins FDA Nod in Prostate Cancer, Trims IBD Pipeline
The company added an indication to Lynparza’s label for the treatment of adults with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, while cutting an antibody for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
June 1, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Syringe pulling vaccine from a vial / Ad
FDA
FDA Approves Pfizer’s RSV Vaccine for Older Adults
Abrysvo’s approval in adults aged 60 years and above comes ahead of an expected August decision in the pediatric setting.
June 1, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Sanofi Distribution Center
Drug Development
Sanofi Rebounds in MS with Mid-Stage Data for Anti-CD40L Antibody
Following a partial hold on another lead candidate last year, Sanofi is reinvigorating its MS pipeline with a Phase II win for its investigational anti-CD40L antibody frexalimab.
May 31, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Pills spilling out from a yellow contain
Drug Development
Glyscend’s First-in-Class Oral Diabetes Drug Shows Phase II Promise
The company’s oral gut-targeting polymer, GLY-200, demonstrated promising safety and efficacy in patients with Type 2 diabetes, assessing the candidate as an adjunct treatment to diet and exercise.
May 31, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Front of FDA headquarters/Grandbrothers/
FDA
Lexicon Breaks Sotagliflozin Losing Streak with FDA Nod in Heart Failure
Following a series of stumbles in Type 1 diabetes, Lexicon’s dual SGLT inhibitor sotagliflozin finally won the FDA’s approval in heart failure and will be marketed as Inpefa.
May 30, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Jonathan Weiss/Shutterstock
Drug Development
AstraZeneca Touts Positive Phase III Endometrial Cancer Data for Imfinzi, Lynparza
DUO-E trial data show AstraZeneca’s Imfinzi, either alone or in combination with Lynparza, boosts progression-free survival in endometrial cancer.
May 30, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Bristol Myers Squibb office in California
Drug Development
ASCO: BMS Builds Case to Push Reblozyl into Frontline for MDS
Bristol Myers Squibb’s Reblozyl induced nearly twice the red blood cell transfusion independence compared with the current standard treatment epoetin alfa for lower-risk myelodysplastic syndrome.
May 26, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Kirkland, Quebec, Canada - September 3, 2021: Merck Canada head office in Kirkland, Quebec, Canada. Merck is an American multinational pharmaceutical company.
Drug Development
ASCO: Merck Previews Keytruda’s Wins in Renal, Cervical Cancer
The company will present data at the oncology meeting showing the drug’s significant survival benefit in patients with advanced renal cancer and recurrent, persistent and metastatic cervical cancer.
May 26, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: scientist working on machine learning mo
Business
BenevolentAI Cuts Workforce, Pipeline in Strategic Realignment
The AI drug discovery company’s reorganization will include laying off around 180 employees and dropping its atopic dermatitis candidate BEN-2293 in an effort to save nearly $56 million.
May 25, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: A doctor holds a chest x-ray/courtesy of
Drug Development
Mirati’s Sitravatinib Fails in Phase III Lung Cancer Trial, Nixes Development
The investigational kinase inhibitor failed to improve overall survival in the SAPPHIRE study of patients with non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer, causing Mirati to discontinue its development.
May 25, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Drug Development
Annexon Sets Sights on Phase III Geographic Atrophy Trial Despite Missing Mid-Stage Mark
The company’s candidate, ANX007, did not significantly slow lesion growth in a Phase II trial but was effective at preserving visual function in patients with a form of dry age-related macular degeneration.
May 25, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
The PTC Therapeutics logo is pictured on a phone s
Drug Development
PTC Cuts Early-Stage Pipeline but Pushes Forward on FA Drug After Phase III Flop
Despite a disappointing showing in the Phase III MOVE-FA trial, PTC Therapeutics says it will move forward with regulatory talks for the Friedreich’s ataxia treatment. Meanwhile, the company is discontinuing several early-stage gene therapies and reducing its headcount.
May 24, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
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