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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.

Novartis' office building in Marburg, Germany
Drug Development
Novartis’ Iptacopan Aces Phase III Study in Ultra-Rare Kidney Disease Days After FDA Approval
The trial demonstrated that C3G glomerulopathy patients treated with the oral factor B inhibitor saw a significant reduction in protein in their urine. The results come days after iptacopan won the FDA’s green light for a rare blood disease.
December 12, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Pfizer office in Brussels, Belgium/iStoc
Drug Development
Pfizer’s $5.4B GBT Bet Pays Off with Promising Phase II Data for Oxbryta Successor
Patients treated with the investigational sickle cell therapy saw an increase in hemoglobin levels and improved red blood cell parameters.
December 11, 2023
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3 min read
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Tristan Manalac
3D illustration of a T cell killing a cancer cell
Drug Development
Roche Partner Poseida Touts High Response Rates for Allogeneic CAR-T Therapy
The investigational allogeneic CAR-T therapy P-BCMA-ALLO1 appears to be more effective following strong immunosuppressive preconditioning.
December 11, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Illustration showing sickle cells in the
Bluebird’s Newly Approved SCD Gene Therapy Faces Rough Road with Hefty Price Tag, Boxed Warning
These factors, along with bluebird bio’s failure to receive a priority review voucher, all hurt the company’s stock price following Lyfgenia’s approval.
December 11, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Merck Research Laboratories headquarters in Silicon Valley
Drug Development
Merck’s Keytruda Flops in Late-Stage Endometrial Carcinoma Study
For the second time in as many days, Merck has reported a Phase III failure for its blockbuster PD-1 inhibitor Keytruda, this time as a first-line treatment with Eisai’s Lenvima for cancer in the uterus lining.
December 8, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: American cash shaped into a funnel/iStoc
Biopharma Funding, Deals Fall Sharply in 2023 in ‘Strategic’ Shift: PitchBook
The biopharma industry is projected to raise $24 billion this year, a steep decline from the “high-water marks” of 2020 through 2022, according to a new report from market data firm PitchBook.
December 8, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Bristol Myers Squibb office in California
Drug Development
BMS Builds Case for Opdivo, Yervoy Combo in First-Line Colorectal Cancer
Results from a Phase III trial showed the combination improves progression-free survival compared to chemotherapy when used as a first-line treatment in metastatic colorectal cancer.
December 8, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Facade of Sanofi's headquarters in Franc
Sanofi Touts 12 Potential Blockbusters in Bid to Regain Investor Confidence
In an R&D event on Thursday, the French pharma is trying to win over its investors by highlighting a dozen potential blockbusters and charting strong growth for the company through 2030.
December 7, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Front view of the White House
Policy
Biden Admin Targets Pharma Patents to Lower Drug Prices under Controversial Authority
Following a nine-month review, the Biden administration will issue a framework for the National Institutes of Health to implement so-called “march-in rights” under the Bayh-Dole Act of 1980.
December 7, 2023
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3 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: AbbVie Corporate Office/iStock, vzphotos
Deals
AbbVie Continues Buying Spree with $8.7B Cerevel Acquisition to Bolster Neuro
The deal, announced late Wednesday, will provide AbbVie with access to Cerevel Therapeutics’ pipeline of clinical-stage and preclinical candidates for psychiatric and neurological diseases.
December 7, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Novartis' logo outside its building in S
FDA
Novartis Wins FDA Approval for Oral Monotherapy for Rare Blood Disorder
The Swiss pharma’s Fabhalta, a Factor B inhibitor, is the first FDA-approved oral monotherapy for adults with the rare blood disorder paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria.
December 6, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
External view of the U.S. Capitol building
Policy
Sen. Bill Cassidy Eyes Legislation to Improve Access to Gene Therapies
With the biopharma industry’s looming wave of gene therapy submissions and potential approvals, the senior senator is laying the groundwork for a legislative initiative to improve access to these expensive treatments.
December 6, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Merck KGaA signage at its headquarters in Darmstadt, Germany
Drug Development
Merck KGaA’s BTK Inhibitor Fails Phase III Multiple Sclerosis Studies
In two late-stage trials, the experimental oral drug evobrutinib was unable to significantly reduce annualized relapse rates in MS patients compared with Sanofi’s Aubagio tablets.
December 6, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
3D illustration of a T cell killing a cancer cell
CRISPR Reorganizes CAR-T Pipeline Ahead of FDA’s Landmark Decision
The gene editing company is dropping two programs and favoring its next-generation assets CTX112 and CTX131, which it will continue to develop in oncology but will also test in autoimmune diseases.
December 5, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Illustration of an electroencephalogram
Drug Development
Alto’s Neuropsychiatric Platform Scores Third Mid-Stage Win
ALTO-300 was significantly more effective in major depressive disorder patients with a specific EEG biomarker than in those without, according to results from an Alto Neuroscience Phase IIa study.
December 5, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
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