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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.

Pictured: Illustration of antibodies attacking a nerve cell
Drug Development
Small Study Points to Big Potential of CAR-T Therapies for Autoimmune Diseases
After treatment with a CD19 CAR-T therapy, patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, idiopathic inflammatory myositis or systemic sclerosis achieved long-lasting remission, according to results published in the NEJM.
February 22, 2024
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Illustration of red blood cells
Drug Development
Protagonist Publishes Promising Phase II Blood Cancer Data for Therapy
On the heels of Takeda’s $300 million licensing deal for rusfertide, Protagonist Therapeutics’ peptide mimetic lowered hematocrit levels in patients with polycythemia vera, a type of blood cancer.
February 22, 2024
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: GSK's office in Poznan, Poland/iStock, W
Drug Development
GSK’s Injectable HIV Drug Bests Pills in Patients with Medication Adherence Issues
ViiV Healthcare and GSK’s Cabenuva in a Phase III study showed superior efficacy versus daily oral antiretroviral treatment in HIV patients with a history of difficulties in taking daily pills.
February 21, 2024
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: J&J's building in Switzerland
FDA
J&J Wins Bi-Weekly Dosing Approval from FDA for Tecvayli in Multiple Myeloma
Johnson & Johnson’s anti-BCMA antibody can now be dosed once every two weeks in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma patients who have achieved and maintained complete response for at least six months.
February 21, 2024
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Sign above the entrance to a U.S. courthouse
Policy
Four Drugmakers to Face Government Together in IRA Oral Arguments Next Month
A federal judge in New Jersey has agreed to hear legal challenges from BMS, J&J, Novartis and Novo Nordisk to the Inflation Reduction Act’s Drug Price Negotiation Program during the same March 7 hearing.
February 21, 2024
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: 3D illustration of antibody-drug conjugates with their toxic payloads
Job Trends
Daiichi Sankyo Drops $1B to Boost ADC Manufacturing Capacity at German Site
With the investment in the plant, Daiichi Sankyo is looking to create new laboratories for its antibody-drug conjugates used to develop and manufacture therapies for breast, lung and stomach cancers.
February 20, 2024
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: AstraZeneca signage at its office in Sweden
Drug Development
AstraZeneca’s Tagrisso Continues NSCLC Streak with New Phase III Data
In a late-stage study, Tagrisso induced a “statistically significant and highly clinically meaningful improvement” in progression-free survival in patients with unresectable stage III, EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer.
February 20, 2024
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Eli Lilly's biotechnology center in San
Policy
EU to Review Lilly’s Multi-Dose Pen for Mounjaro on Heels of UK Launch
A week after Britain’s debut of the four-week Kwikpen, a European Medicines Agency panel is slated to review Eli Lilly’s multi-dose, pre-filled pen injector for diabetes drug Mounjaro.
February 20, 2024
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Tristan Manalac
Novo Nordisk's corporate headquarters in Denmark
Business
Novo Licenses to Almirall Potential First-in-Class Antibody Candidate
Almirall will have exclusive global rights to develop and commercialize the anti-IL-21 monoclonal antibody NN-8828 in several fields, including immune inflammatory dermatological indications.
February 19, 2024
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Sanofi Distribution Center
Drug Development
Sanofi, Denali ALS Candidate Flops in Mid-Stage Trial
In a Phase II study, Sanofi and Denali’s RIPK1 inhibitor SAR443820/DNL788 failed to meet the primary endpoint of improved functional performance in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients.
February 19, 2024
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Tristan Manalac
AstraZeneca's sign on its office in California
FDA
AstraZeneca Expands Tagrisso’s NSCLC Label, FDA Allows Use with Chemo
The regulator’s approval means AstraZeneca’s Tagrisso can now be used in combination with chemotherapy for locally advanced or metastatic EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer patients.
February 19, 2024
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Male patient getting an ultrasound/iStoc
Policy
Inventiva Pauses Late-Stage NASH Trial, Keeps Field Open for Madrigal
Following a patient case of severe liver enzyme elevations, Inventiva is suspending its Phase III NATiV3 study in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis as Madrigal Pharmaceuticals awaits a March 14 PDUFA date.
February 16, 2024
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Sign above the entrance to a U.S. courthouse
Policy
Karuna CEO, Board Sued by Shareholder over $14B BMS Acquisition
Claiming that Karuna Therapeutics’ board of directors withheld crucial information, a shareholder has filed a lawsuit seeking to block the $14 billion merger with Bristol Myers Squibb.
February 16, 2024
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Tristan Manalac
Astellas' headquarters for the Americas
Business
Astellas Inks Potential $800M Deal with Kelonia for In Vivo Gene Delivery Tech
Kelonia Therapeutics’ in vivo gene placement system is being tapped to help Astellas Pharma expand its portfolio of in vivo CAR-T cell therapies for cancer.
February 16, 2024
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Tristan Manalac
Gilead's corporate headquarters in Silicon Valley
Drug Development
Gilead Suspends Patient Enrollment for Magrolimab in Solid Tumor Trials
While Gilead Sciences did not provide specific reasons for the halt, the company said it is “reviewing the benefit-risk” of its anti-CD47 antibody magrolimab across all ongoing trials.
February 16, 2024
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Tristan Manalac
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