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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.

Indianapolis, U.S. - April 16, 2016: Eli Lilly and Company World Headquarters. Lilly makes Medicines and Pharmaceuticals VII
Metabolic disorders
Lilly Makes $1.2B RNAi Pact With SangeneBio, Targets Metabolic Diseases
Eli Lilly has been on a dealmaking spree this year, with a few deals worth $1 billion or more. Aside from SangeneBio, these include SiteOne, Verve and Scorpion.
November 10, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
ransparent plastic tube being blocked by orange balls on blue background. Illustration of the concept of digestive disorders and difficulties on career paths
Cardiovascular disease
Merck Builds Case for Cholesterol-Lowering Pill With Injectable-Like Efficacy
Multiple analyst firms were impressed by the Phase III data, which showed that Merck’s oral PCSK9 inhibitor can lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol by more than 55% after 24 weeks.
November 10, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Goal concept. Human hand in dotted pop art style pointing on the target for red paper plane. Vector illustration
IgA nephropathy
Vera Builds ‘Compelling Profile’ for Atacicept in IgAN, Eyes Q4 Filing
The Phase III results impressed Guggenheim Partners analysts both in terms of efficacy and safety. If approved, atacicept would become the first APRIL/BAFF inhibitor for IgAN to make it to the market.
November 7, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
The headquarters of Intellia Therapeutics, a brick building with two triangular shapes in its roof
Gene therapy
Patient Dies After Receiving Intellia’s CRISPR Gene Therapy Candidate
The FDA previously placed two clinical studies on hold, including the Phase III trial in which the liver toxicity occurred. Intellia is working with experts to create a risk management program for nex-z.
November 7, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Oct 9, 2019 Milpitas / CA / USA - Johnson & Johnson Vision offices in Silicon Valley; Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. is part of the American multinational corporation Johnson&Johnson
Approvals
J&J Wins Expansion for Top-Selling Cancer Drug in First for Smoldering Multiple Myeloma
Darzalex Faspro’s approval for smoldering multiple myeloma could allow for earlier intervention and reduce the risk of progression to active disease.
November 7, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
AstraZeneca's sign on its office in California
Earnings
AstraZeneca Builds Obesity Pipeline On ‘Medical Aspect,’ Not Aesthetics
In an investor call Thursday, AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot outlined his company’s approach to obesity drug development based on “the medical aspect” of weight loss, including driving down visceral fat.
November 6, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Poster sketch image artwork photo collage of body language finger showing gesture symbol thumb down dislike dissatisfied minus no opinion.
FDA
FDA’s Top Cancer Regulator Declined CDER Directorship
The search continues for a new leader for the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research after George Tidmarsh resigned on Sunday. Deputy Director Mike Davis is in the running, along with Mary Thanh Hai, currently head of the Office of New Drugs.
November 6, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Judge hiiting tiny man by gavel. Bankruptcy, lawsuit, protest concept. Vector illustration.
Legal
Delaware Court Denies Pfizer’s Bid To Block Novo-Metsera Deal
The court’s decision allows Metsera to walk away from its previous acquisition agreement with Pfizer in favor of Novo Nordisk’s higher bid.
November 6, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Composite photo collage of two players hold chess board game hobby tactic horse queen championship leisure isolated on painted background.
Obesity
Novo’s Metsera Bid Attracts FTC Scrutiny as Pfizer Matches $10B Offer
Pressure from the FTC and Pfizer is building around Novo Nordisk’s bid to snatch obesity biotech Metsera. The antitrust watchdog has spotted issues with the structure of Novo’s bid, while its New York-based rival has put more money on the table.
November 6, 2025
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3 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Poster sketch image artwork photo collage of body language finger showing gesture symbol thumb down dislike dissatisfied minus no opinion.
Rare diseases
Biohaven Cuts R&D Spending by 60% After FDA Rejection of Drug for Rare Neurodegenerative Disease
Biohaven is proposing troriluzole for the treatment of spinocerebellar ataxia, a group of rare, genetic diseases that lead to the progressive loss of control over movement.
November 5, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Conceptual business illustration of upcoming business problem metaphor with falling domino and businessman silhouette. Minimalistic vector eps 10 illustration
Preclinical
Arena BioWorks Folds Less Than Two Years After Launch, Blames ‘Policy Uncertainty’
Arena launched with $500 million in early 2024 to fund basic biological research, from which it planned to spin out dedicated companies to focus on drug development.
November 5, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Missed Target
Rare diseases
Harmony Freezes Cannabidiol Gel After Phase III Miss in Fragile X Syndrome
Harmony Biosciences has paused a mid-stage trial of ZYN002 in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome after the THC-free cannabinoid drug failed to significantly improve social avoidance in a late-stage study in fragile X Syndrome.
November 5, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Amgen's office in Massachusetts/iStock,
Earnings
Amid Obesity Bidding War, Amgen Believes It Can Stand Out in Crowded Space
Amgen remains confident in its obesity asset MariTide, for which it has launched a broad Phase III program.
November 5, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
©Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.
Earnings
Vertex’s New Products Dim as Analysts Eye Kidney Portfolio
The potential approval of Vertex’s IgAN therapy povetacicept in 2026 comes amid launch headwinds for the company’s non-opioid pain medicine Journavx and gene therapy Casgevy.
November 4, 2025
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5 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Space rocket crashed and on fire. Business failure, failed startup. Downfall of ambitious plans, flawed execution, or crisis outcomes. Volatility of startups, financial risks, or unexpected setbacks.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Sarepta’s DMD Exon-Skippers Fail Confirmatory Study, Stock Craters
Sarepta nevertheless plans to push for full FDA approval of Vyondys 53 and Amondys 45 based on what it said are “encouraging trends” in efficacy.
November 4, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
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