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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.

Facade of the FDA's office in Maryland
Policy
FDA Ramps Up Manufacturing Inspections in India: Reuters
Amid the dual crises of worsening medicine quality and growing drug shortages, the FDA plans to increase inspections of Indian manufacturing facilities this year, Reuters reported Tuesday.
February 28, 2024
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Doctor measures waistline of obese patie
Drug Development
Viking Scores Mid-Stage Win for Obesity Candidate, Eyes Lucrative Weight-Loss Market
Viking Therapeutics announced Tuesday that its GLP-1/GIP receptor dual agonist helped patients lose up to nearly 15% of their weight over about three months in a Phase II study.
February 27, 2024
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Tristan Manalac
Facade of Novo Nordisk's office in Fremont, California
Business
Novo Inks Potential $1.46B Deal to Tap Neomorph’s Molecular Glue Platform
Under the collaboration and licensing agreement, Novo Nordisk and Neomorph are looking to discover, develop and commercialize novel molecular glue degraders for cardiometabolic and rare diseases.
February 27, 2024
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: BioMarin headquarters in California/iSto
Policy
BioMarin Hit with DOJ Subpoena on Sponsored Testing for Rare Diseases
The U.S. Department of Justice has slapped BioMarin Pharmaceutical with a subpoena in connection with its sponsored testing programs for the rare disease therapies Vivizim and Naglazyme.
February 27, 2024
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Tristan Manalac
Merck Research Laboratories in South San Francisco, California
Policy
Merck’s Bridion Could Face Generic Pressure from Hikma Ahead of Patent Expiry Date
Despite a patent extension, Merck’s muscle relaxant reversal injection is now facing potential generic competition from Hikma Pharmaceuticals, which is seeking the FDA’s approval for a copycat version.
February 27, 2024
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Boehringer Ingelheim's office in California
Drug Development
Boehringer’s Obesity Candidate Survodutide Shows Strong Potential in MASH
Boehringer Ingelheim and Zealand Pharma’s dual glucagon/GLP-1 receptor agonist elicited significant topline Phase II results in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis.
February 26, 2024
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Roche Diagnostics building in California
Drug Development
Roche’s Asthma Drug Xolair Shows Promise Against Food Allergies on Heels of FDA Approval
Approved earlier this month for children and adults with one or more food allergies, Xolair in a Phase III study reduced severe allergic reactions in patients suffering from multiple food allergies.
February 26, 2024
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: J&J's building in Switzerland
Policy
EU Panel Backs J&J, Legend’s Carvykti for Second-Line Multiple Myeloma
Johnson & Johnson and Legend Biotech got a positive opinion from a European Medicines Agency panel for earlier lines of treatment, as they ready for a March FDA advisory committee meeting.
February 26, 2024
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: FDA signage at its office in Washington, DC
FDA
Alvotech, Teva End Rough Road for Humira Biosimilar with FDA Approval
On Friday, Alvotech and Teva Pharmaceuticals finally secured the FDA’s greenlight for their Humira biosimilar Simlandi, which now has the regulator’s interchangeability designation.
February 26, 2024
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Tristan Manalac
FDA signage at its office in Maryland
Policy
Sanofi, Regeneron Secure FDA Priority Review for Dupixent in COPD
The FDA’s target decision date is June 27, 2024, the companies announced Friday. Sanofi and Regeneron are looking to expand blockbuster Dupixent into chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
February 23, 2024
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Doctor showing a patient their lung scan
Business
Blueprint’s Cancer Drug Gavreto Finds New Home at Rigel after Roche Split
A year after Roche returned Gavreto’s global rights to Blueprint Medicines, Rigel Pharmaceuticals has acquired the U.S. rights to the FDA-approved treatment for non-small cell lung cancer.
February 23, 2024
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Businessmen shaking hands after closing a deal
Drug Development
Frontier Medicines Raises $80M in Series C, Targets Amgen and BMS in KRAS
The biotech will use the oversubscribed Series C financing to advance its next-generation KRAS blocker FMC-376, which saw its first patient dosed in a Phase I/II clinical trial on Thursday.
February 23, 2024
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Man prepares his GLP-1 receptor agonist injection
Drug Development
India’s Drugmakers Look to Tap Weight-Loss Market with Versions of Wegovy
Seeking a slice of the lucrative obesity market, Indian pharma companies are developing their own versions of Novo Nordisk’s blockbuster weight-loss drug Wegovy, Reuters reports.
February 23, 2024
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Facade of Moderna's building in Massachusetts
Business
Moderna Posts Surprise Q4 Profit Despite Steep COVID-19 Sales Decline
While COVID vaccine revenue dropped 43% compared to the same period last year, Moderna on Thursday reported a profit of $217 million which beat analyst estimates, driven by deferred payments and cost savings.
February 22, 2024
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Boardroom overlooking a city/iStock, ism
Policy
PhRMA Names Gilead CEO O’Day as New Board Chair Following Loss of Members
With the departure of AbbVie and AstraZeneca from the trade group, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America has named new members to its leadership including Gilead Sciences chief Daniel O’Day.
February 22, 2024
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Tristan Manalac
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