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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 Novo Nordisk's office in Fremont, California
Novo to Discontinue Long-Acting Insulin Injection Levemir by the End of 2024
Citing manufacturing concerns and formulary losses, Novo Nordisk will discontinue its long-acting insulin Levemir by the end of next year amid strong pressure from U.S. lawmakers to lower insulin prices.
November 9, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: A sign in front of a Takeda building/iSt
FDA
Takeda Wins FDA Approval for Fruquintinib in Certain Colorectal Cancer Patients
The oral targeted therapy, now sold under the brand name Fruzaqla, is approved for adults with metastatic colorectal cancer who have received certain previous treatments for the disease.
November 9, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Gilead's corporate headquarters in Silicon Valley
Business
Gilead Q3 Revenue Stagnates, Drops Late-Stage COVID-19 and AML Trials
The third-quarter growth of Gilead’s HIV, oncology and cell therapy businesses was completely offset by declining COVID-19 and liver disease sales, with revenue flat compared to the same period last year.
November 8, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: 3D rendering of amyloid-beta oligomers
Business
Eisai Sees ‘Dramatic’ Increase in Leqembi Uptake Following Full FDA Approval
After winning traditional approval from the U.S. regulator, Eisai’s Alzheimer’s disease therapy Leqembi has seen a sharp increase in patient uptake, with a target of 10,000 patients by March 2024.
November 8, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: BioMarin headquarters in California/iSto
Business
Activist Investor Takes $1B Stake in BioMarin Amid CEO Change, Disappointing Sales
Activist hedge fund investor Elliott Investment Management has bought over a $1 billion stake in BioMarin as the biotech grapples with a leadership change and disappointing sales of its hemophilia A gene therapy.
November 8, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
External view of Novartis' office in Canada
Business
Novartis Inks Potential $1.3B Contract with Korean Biotech for Small Molecule
For $80 million upfront and the promise of more than $1.2 billion in milestones, Novartis has bought the global rights to develop an oral HDAC6 inhibitor from Chong Kun Dang Pharmaceutical.
November 7, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Blue upward trendline showing rising sto
Business
Vertex Q3 Revenue Falls Short, Looks to Potential CRISPR Therapy Approval
In the third quarter, Vertex Pharmaceuticals reported revenue of $2.48 billion, a 6% increase from the same period in 2022. However, these figures fell short of Wall Street’s consensus estimates.
November 7, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Entrance to the U.S. Department of Healt
Policy
HHS Considers Removing J&J’s Stelara from Medicare Drug Price Negotiations
The Department of Health and Human Services in a court filing last week said that the blockbuster treatment could be “deselected” from the drug price negotiation list, given the recent approval of Amgen’s Stelara biosimilar.
November 7, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Pfizer office in Brussels, Belgium/iStoc
Business
Pfizer’s $3.5B Cost-Cutting Program Claims 200 Jobs at Michigan Site
Seeking to weather declining sales from its COVID-19 business in the third quarter, Pfizer is laying off approximately 200 employees at its manufacturing facility in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
November 6, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Artistic illustration of the kidneys, sh
Drug Development
Travere Touts Phase III Kidney Disease Data for Filspari After Trial Failures
Following two late-stage failures, Travere Therapeutics has unveiled the results of two Phase III studies, attempting to regain Filspari’s footing in IgA nephropathy and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.
November 6, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Nasdaq signage and building in New York City
Deals
Lexeo Therapeutics Launches $100M IPO to Fund Cardio, Alzheimer’s Candidates
The New York-based genetic medicine company, which expects gross proceeds of approximately $100 million, joins a small group of biotechs that have launched initial public offerings this year.
November 3, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Sign of U.S. Department of Health & Huma
Policy
HHS Challenges AstraZeneca’s Motion for Summary Judgement in IRA Lawsuit
The U.S. government has requested that a Delaware federal judge deny an AstraZeneca motion for summary judgement in its Inflation Reduction Act case, arguing that the company’s core claims are meritless.
November 3, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Man sitting in a chair holding his forea
Drug Development
Neurocrine Touts Phase III Huntington’s Data, Posts 29% YoY Growth
In a late-stage study, most Huntington’s disease patients reported that their symptoms of chorea were “much improved” or “very much improved” following treatment with Neurocrine Biosciences’ VMAT2 inhibitor Ingrezza.
November 3, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Facade of Novo Nordisk's office in Fremont, California
Business
Novo Logs Over 700% Wegovy Sales Growth in Q3, Raises 2023 Outlook
Riding a wave of skyrocketing Wegovy and Ozempic sales, the company on Thursday raised its sales and operating profit outlook for the rest of the year as part of its third-quarter earnings announcement.
November 2, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Novartis' logo outside its building in S
FDA
Novartis Adds Hidradenitis Suppurativa to Cosentyx’s Label in Challenge to Humira
The Swiss pharma has set up its challenge to AbbVie’s blockbuster immunosuppressive drug Humira with a label expansion for Cosentyx in hidradenitis suppurativa, a painful long-term skin condition.
November 2, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
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