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Tristan Manalac

Tristan Manalac

Senior Staff Writer

Tristan is BioSpace‘s senior staff writer. Based in Metro Manila, Tristan has 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.

MRI scans of a human brain
Postmarket research
Merck’s Former Asthma Blockbuster Singulair Could Be Linked to Mental Health Problems: Reuters
A Reuters report on Friday revealed that FDA researchers have found additional molecular evidence tying blockbuster asthma therapy montelukast to adverse neuropsychiatric effects.
November 22, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Contemporary art collage of hand holding an arrow showing fall. Modern design. Copy space.
Gene therapy
Patient Death in Rett Syndrome Trial Forces Neurogene to Drop High-Dose Arm
Despite the death, the FDA has allowed Neurogene to forge ahead with the Phase I/II Rett syndrome trial, but using only the lower 1E15 vg dose of its investigational gene therapy NGN-401.
November 22, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: AstraZeneca's manufacturing facility in Sweden
Adcomms
AstraZeneca Fends Off Adcomm’s Safety Concerns on Andexxa, Axes Mid-Stage Opioid Use Disorder Drug
The pharma is seeking full approval for its anticoagulation reversal drug Andexxa, which the FDA granted accelerated approval in 2018 for patients who had been treated with apixaban or rivaroxaban.
November 22, 2024
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3 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Novartis' office building in Marburg, Germany
Mergers & acquisitions
Novartis Buys Kate Therapeutics, Eyeing $55B CGT Market Opportunity by 2030
Novartis’ up to $1.1 billion acquisition of gene therapy specialist Kate Therapeutics fits with the pharma’s plan to expand its new modality pipeline to ensure long-term business sustainability.
November 21, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Eli Lilly's headquarters in Indianapolis
GLP-1
Lilly Partners With Chinese Biotech to Advance Muscle-Sparing Obesity Treatment
Eli Lilly will provide the funding and expertise to advance Laekna’s LAE102, a first-in-class monoclonal antibody targeting the activin type IIA receptor to induce weight loss and boost muscle mass.
November 21, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Poster. Contemporary art collage. Blue and yellow hands peeking out of black holes in space to make a deal. Abstract vibrant artwork. Concept of pop art, positive emotions. Minimal art design.
Cancer
Kura Signs Leukemia Pact with Kyowa Kirin After Losing Race to Syndax
The agreement will give Kura enough capital to support the development and launch of its menin inhibitor ziftomenib.
November 21, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Marty Makary speaks on a panel at the New America Foundation
Government
COVID-19 Critic Marty Makary Is Trump’s Likely Pick for FDA Top Post
Makary is a pancreatic surgeon at Johns Hopkins who became known for battling medical mistakes and in recent years has been an outspoken critic of COVID-19 policies.
November 21, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
broken human head conceptual digital illustration
Huntington’s disease
Sage Scraps Huntington’s Hopeful After Disappointing Phase II Data
After previously failing studies in Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, dalzanemdor’s latest stumble in Huntington’s disease has pushed Sage Therapeutics to pull the plug on the NMDA receptor modulator.
November 20, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Human liver protection. Wireframe low poly style. Concept for medical, pharmacology, treatment of the hepatitis. Abstract modern 3d vector illustration on dark blue background.
MASH
Novo, Viking Heat Up MASH Space with Promising Data at AASLD24
Readouts from Novo Nordisk and Viking Therapeutics at AASLD 2024 strengthen the argument for GLP-1 therapies as an emerging backbone of MASH treatment, with the potential to combine it with other drug classes to achieve deeper responses, according to BMO Capital Markets analyst Evan Seigerman.
November 20, 2024
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3 min read
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Tristan Manalac
TV host Dr. Mehmet Oz speaking at a Senate hearing
Government
Trump to Appoint Celebrity Physician Dr. Oz to Head CMS
The selection of controversial TV personality Mehmet Oz to run the agency overseeing Medicare and Medicaid follows Trump’s pick of RFK Jr. to run its parent department, HHS.
November 20, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Biogen’s headquarters in Massachusetts
Immunology and inflammation
Biogen, UCB Reveal Details Behind Surprise Late-Stage Win in Lupus, Eye Second Phase III
After the unexpected success of their PHOENYCS GO study for dapirolizumab pegol in lupus earlier this fall, Biogen and UCB are planning a second late-stage trial by the end of the year to support a drug application.
November 19, 2024
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3 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Colorful DNA molecule. Structure of the genetic code. Genetic Syndrome and Genetic Disorder, 3D illustration of science concept.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Regenxbio Gears Up to Challenge Sarepta in DMD as Gene Therapy Advances to Pivotal Studies
Regenxbio is pushing its Duchenne muscular dystrophy gene therapy into pivotal development, with a BLA planned for 2026—potentially posing a threat to Sarepta’s Elevidys.
November 19, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Incyte's logo on its building in Delaware
Immunology and inflammation
Incyte’s $750M Escient Bet Flops as Skin Disease Assets Stumble
Incyte’s pipeline updates on Monday bring into question the value of its $750 million Escient acquisition in April 2024—and further erode confidence that the biotech can effectively mitigate the impacts of Jakafi’s loss of exclusivity in the coming years, according to analysts.
November 19, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: An Eli Lilly Research Laboratories sign/
Cardiovascular disease
Lilly Plots Path for Cholesterol Pill After Strong Mid-Stage Showing
Lilly’s muvalaplin is the first oral drug to show positive Phase II findings for Lp(a) reduction, eliciting up to an 86% drop in the biomarker after 12 weeks.
November 19, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Human liver protection. Wireframe low poly style. Concept for medical, pharmacology, treatment of the hepatitis. Abstract modern 3d vector illustration on dark blue background.
MASH
Boston Pharma Carves Out Monthly Treatment Niche in MASH With Strong Phase II Data
Boston Pharma’s once-monthly injection efimosfermin alfa offers a convenient dosing option for MASH patients while also achieving promising rates of fibrosis and MASH improvement, according to a Phase II readout.
November 18, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
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