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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.

Courtesy of Amgen
Policy
Amgen, J&J Settle Patent Dispute Over Stelara Biosimilar
While the exact settlement details are confidential, the deal will allow Amgen to launch its Stelara biosimilar no later than January 1, 2025.
May 24, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Close up of $100 bills/Nomad_Soul/Adobe
Business
ElevateBio Takes Title of Largest 2023 Funding with $401M Series D
The Massachusetts-based company has claimed the year’s largest fundraise so far and secured a powerhouse R&D partner in Novo Nordisk to develop gene editing medicines.
May 24, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
A 3D rendering of a messenger RNA strand/iStock, l
Business
ReNAgade Launches with $300M to More Easily Deliver RNA Medicines
The Massachusetts-based startup’s goal is to develop RNA medicines that can treat diseases anywhere in the body using an “all-in-one” platform.
May 23, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
FDA Headquarters_Grandbrothers/Adobe Stock
FDA
Blueprint Adds Indolent Systemic Mastocytosis to Ayvakit’s Label
With the FDA’s approval on Monday, Ayvakit is the first and only treatment for adults with indolent systemic mastocytosis, a rare hematologic disorder, according to Blueprint Medicines.
May 23, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Pills spilling out from a yellow contain
FDA
FDA Approves First Nasal Nalmefene Spray for Opioid Overdose
Indivior’s Opvee is an emergency nasal spray medication to reverse opioid overdose approved for patients aged 12 years and above with signs of respiratory or central nervous system depression.
May 23, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Blue sign outside FDA building/JHVEPhoto
FDA
Krystal Gets First FDA Approval for Redosable Gene Therapy, Rare Skin Disease
The topical treatment Vyjuvek got the FDA’s greenlight, making it the first redosable gene therapy and the first therapeutic for the rare skin disease dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa.
May 22, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: AbbVie sign on a building/courtesy of Ad
FDA
AbbVie, Genmab Score FDA Nod for DLBCL as Blood Cancer Space Heats Up
With Friday’s approval, Epkinly edges out Roche’s bi-specific antibody glofitamab, which is also being proposed for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
May 22, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: AbbVie sign on a building/courtesy of Ad
FDA
AbbVie Adds Crohn’s Disease to Rinvoq’s Growing List of Indications
Crohn’s disease is Rinvoq’s seventh approved indication and could potentially help AbbVie weather declining sales for its blockbuster biologic Humira.
May 19, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
FDA Action Alert logo/© Nicole Bean for BioSpace
Policy
FDA Action Alert: Blueprint, Indivior and Lexicon
Blueprint Medicines, Indivior PLC and Lexicon Pharmaceuticals are all awaiting FDA decisions this week.
May 19, 2023
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4 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: A dry eye/Kryuchka Yaroslav_Adobe Stock
FDA
FDA Approves Bausch + Lomb, Novaliq Dry Eye Disease Drug
The regulator’s approval makes Miebo the first DED treatment that directly addresses tear evaporation. The drug is expected to hit U.S. markets in the second half of 2023.
May 19, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Two scientists in a medical research lab
Business
AstraZeneca Deepens Gene Editing Capabilities with Revvity Partnership
Under a non-exclusive agreement, AstraZeneca is licensing biotech Revvity’s base editing technology to help create cell therapies for the treatment of cancer and immune-mediated diseases.
May 18, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Syringe pulling vaccine from a vial / Ad
FDA
FDA Panel Backs Pfizer’s Maternal RSV Vaccine Despite Safety Concerns
An advisory committee of outside experts voted unanimously Thursday that Pfizer’s vaccine was effective in preventing severe disease, but some had questions regarding its safety.
May 18, 2023
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3 min read
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Tristan Manalac
CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing enzyme, 3d illustration
Business
Lilly’s Prevail, Doudna’s Scribe Partner on Genetic Treatments for Neuro Diseases
The $75 million deal will leverage Scribe’s CRISPR technologies to develop gene therapies for neurological and neuromuscular disorders. Scribe previously struck deals with Biogen and Sanofi.
May 17, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Courtesy of inside-studio/Getty Images
Drug Development
Viking Therapeutics Clears Mid-Stage NASH Trial
Results from Phase IIb VOYAGE study showed Viking’s oral thyroid beta receptor agonist cut liver fat content by up to 51% in confirmed non-alcoholic steatohepatitis patients.
May 16, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Supreme Court building/Courtesy Adobe St
Policy
Supreme Court Denies Teva’s Challenge to $235M GSK Award in Patent Dispute
The U.S. Supreme Court’s denial of Teva Pharmaceuticals’ appeal could have broad ramifications for the wider generics industry, for which “skinny labeling” is a common and accepted practice.
May 16, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
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