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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.

Harold Cunningham/Getty Images
Business
Novartis, Biogen Scrap Gene Regulation Partnerships with Sangamo
Sangamo Therapeutics lost two powerhouse partners Friday after it reported that both Novartis and Biogen discontinued focusing on gene regulation therapies in the neurology space.
March 20, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Courtesy of Daiichi Sankyo
Drug Development
Esperion-Daiichi Sankyo Partnership Saga Continues with Payment Spat
For Daiichi Sankyo, recent results from the Phase III CLEAR trial of Esperion Therapeutics’ Nexletol (bempedoic acid) were not convincing enough to trigger a milestone payment.
March 17, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Policy
FDA Action Alert: Biogen/Ionis, Cidara and Incyte
An advisory committee will meet March 22 to discuss the fate of Biogen and Ionis’ ALS hopeful tofersen. For that and more, see inside.
March 17, 2023
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3 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Amgen sign/courtesy Al Seib/Los Angeles
Business
Amgen Cuts 450 Jobs in Second Round of Layoffs This Year
Amgen is terminating 450 workers in hopes of weathering dropping drug prices and rising inflation. This is Amgen’s second round of job cuts this year.
March 17, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Sarepta sign on a brick building/courtes
Drug Development
FDA Reverses Course; Will Hold Adcomm for Sarepta’s DMD Gene Therapy
The FDA will hold an advisory committee meeting for Sarepta’s investigational gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy ahead of its May 29, 2023 action date.
March 17, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Drug Development
Aldena Raises $30M to Advance Skin-Deep siRNA Therapies
The new financing will help the Boston-based biotech accelerate the development of its siRNA-based therapies for immuno-dermatology indications.
March 16, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Deals
Concentra’s Buy Offer May Jeopardize Jounce’s Merger with Redx
Jounce Therapeutics has received an unsolicited and non-binding acquisition proposal from Concentra Biosciences, looking to buy 100% of Jounce’s equity at a per-share price of $1.80 in cash.
March 15, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images
Drug Development
Veru Moves Forward with Late-Stage COVID Study Despite FDA Roadblock
Weeks after the FDA rejected Veru’s Emergency Use Authorization bid for sabizabulin in COVID-19, the company announced plans to continue with late-stage development of the drug.
March 15, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Courtesy Taljat David/Getty Images
Business
Novartis Explores Sale of Certain Ophthalmology Assets
To hone in on its growth areas, Novartis is looking to trim its ophthalmology portfolio and sell off some of its assets, according to a Bloomberg report published Tuesday.
March 14, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via Getty Images
Deals
Sanofi Bolsters Diabetes Position with $2.9B Provention Buyout
Sanofi will acquire diabetes leader Provention Bio for $25 per share for a total of $2.9 billion, the companies announced Monday.
March 13, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: SBV sign/Courtesy Bloomberg/Getty Images
Deals
SVB’s Fall Leaves Biotechs in Limbo
The California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation shut down the Silicon Valley Bank Friday, a top financial institution for the life sciences industry, leaving biopharmas scrambling.
March 13, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images
FDA
FDA Action Alert: Apellis, Pfizer, Biogen/Ionis
The FDA has one target action date and one advisory committee meeting scheduled for this week. It is also gearing up for an adcomm that could prove to be pivotal for neurodegenerative diseases.
March 10, 2023
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3 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Courtesy of JHVEPhoto/Getty Images
Business
Pfizer’s Biohaven Bet Pays Off Again as Migraine Nasal Spray Wins Approval
The FDA has approved Pfizer’s nasal spray, zavegepant, now to be marketed as Zavzpret, for the acute treatment of migraine in adults, the company announced Friday.
March 10, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images
Drug Development
Fulcrum’s Sickle Cell Trial Given Greenlight to Proceed After Hold
The FDA has lifted the clinical hold it had placed on the Phase Ib study following the occurrence of hematological malignancies.
March 10, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Bodo Marks/picture alliance via Getty Images
Drug Development
AstraZeneca Notches Back-to-Back Late-Stage Wins in Lung Cancer
AstraZeneca reported positive data from both the Phase III ADAURA trial studying Tagrisso (osimertinib) and the Phase III AEGEAN studying Imfinzi (durvalumab) in NSCLC patients.
March 9, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
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