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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.

Contemporary art collage of human hands holding a arrow pointing up, graphs and diagrams. Concept of profit, making money, business. Copy space.
Cardiovascular disease
Ionis’ Tryngolza Hits ‘Best-Case Scenario’ in Late-Stage Triglyceride Study
Aside from lowering triglyceride levels, Ionis’ olezarsen reduced acute pancreatitis events, an outcome that BMO Capital Markets said could help the asset deliver a “significant first-in-class commercial launch.”
September 3, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Modern collage with human heart and hands stock illustration
Cardiovascular disease
Cytokinetics Soars on Aficamten’s ‘Best-in-Class’ Performance in Phase III Cardio Study
Data from the late-stage MAPLE-HCM study position Cytokinetics’ cardiac myosin inhibitor aficamten as a potential first-line therapy for patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
September 3, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
A hand about to burst a money bubble with a pin. Metaphor for an economic or financial bubble crisis.
IPO
After 2021 SPAC Bubble, How Did These 6 Biotechs Fare?
Some of the biggest SPACs from the industry’s pandemic-fueled heyday are no longer on the market.
September 3, 2025
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10 min read
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Tristan Manalac
2D illustration of the gut with microorganisms
Inflammatory bowel disease
Roche Makes Preclinical IBD Play in $420M+ OMass Pact
The OMass partnership will boost Roche’s strategy in inflammatory bowel diseases, currently led by afimkibart, an anti-TL1A therapy the pharma obtained from its $7.1 billion acquisition of Telavant in 2023.
September 2, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Sep 17, 2020 Fremont / CA / USA - Novo Nordisk headquarters in Silicon Valley; Novo Nordisk A/S is a Danish multinational pharmaceutical company
Cardiovascular disease
Novo’s Wegovy Cuts Cardio Risk by 57% Versus Tirzepatide
Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy has been on a winning streak as of late, with a metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis approval last month and prime position in the oral obesity race.
September 2, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Brain neuro cell growth or damaging drawing with texture shading illustration isolated on dark background
Approvals
Biogen, Eisai Win FDA Nod for Subcutaneous Maintenance Leqembi
While the approval of Leqembi Iqlik bodes well for Biogen and Eisai’s planned application for a subcutaneous induction regimen next year, its financial impact remains “uncertain,” as potentially higher revenues from the injection could be offset by steeper costs of production, according to Jefferies.
September 2, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Indianapolis, U.S. - April 16, 2016: Eli Lilly and Company World Headquarters. Lilly makes Medicines and Pharmaceuticals VII
Obesity
Lilly Ends Two Mid-Stage Trials for Second Oral Obesity Asset
While Eli Lilly’s orforglipron is full speed ahead for a regulatory filing this year, the pharma is also pushing forward with one more Phase II study of naperiglipron, which uses the same scaffold as Pfizer’s failed obesity drugs danuglipron and lotiglipron.
September 2, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Silver Spring, MD, USA 11/10/2020: Exterior view of the headquarters of US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This federal agency approves medications, vaccines and food additives for human use.
Regulatory
Rare Diseases Secure Four FDA Firsts in August
Aside from the rare disease market, Novo Nordisk also scored a key regulatory win last month for its blockbuster GLP-1 drug Wegovy, which can now be used to treat patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis.
September 2, 2025
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6 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Whitchurch-Stouffville, On, Canada: - May 30, 2021: Teva Canada Ltd facility in Whitchurch-Stouffville, On, Canada. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. is an Israeli pharmaceutical company.
Obesity
Teva Brings First GLP-1 Generic for Obesity, Targets Novo’s Saxenda
In December 2024, Teva also secured FDA approval for the other liraglutide brand Victoza, indicated for type 2 diabetes.
August 29, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem tours the National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Cetner with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and U.S. Senator Rand Paul on Fort Detrick, Maryland, June 16, 2025. (DHS photo by Tia Dufour)
Government
Senate Summons Kennedy Again Amid CDC Leadership Turmoil
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will testify before the Senate Finance Committee on Sept. 4, following the ouster of CDC Director Susan Monarez and tapping of HHS Deputy Secretary Jim O’Neill as her interim replacement.
August 29, 2025
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3 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Allschwil, Switzerland - 09. May 2022: The modern architecture of business center of Johnson and Johnson, which is a world famous company for pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.
Immunology and inflammation
J&J Ends Rheumatoid Arthritis Program After Disappointing Mid-Stage Data
Nipocalimab, approved as Imaavy for generalized myasthenia gravis earlier this year, failed to show significantly added benefit when used with an anti-TNFα therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
August 29, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Illustration showing large scissors cutting employees in half
Layoffs
Exelixis Lays Off 130 as Pennsylvania Site Closes Down
Exelixis is looking at the possibility of relocating some of the eliminated Pennsylvania roles to its headquarters in Alameda, California, according to a company spokesperson.
August 28, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Vaccine and syringe injection. Doctor hand with syringe. Vaccination of people for prevention, immunization and treatment from virus infection. Medicine, flu shot, test with needle. Vector
Vaccines
FDA Clears Updated COVID-19 Shots From Pfizer, Moderna, Novavax—But With Restrictions
The American Academy of Pediatrics called the decision to limit children’s access to COVID-19 vaccines “deeply troubling.”
August 28, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Novo Nordisk's logo on the facade of its building in Germany
Obesity
Novo Seeks RNA Approach to Obesity, Diabetes With $550M Replicate Deal
Novo Nordisk has brought on other cardiometabolic collaborators this year, including United Laboratories International and Deep Apple Therapeutics.
August 28, 2025
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1 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Dashed line from pills isolated on white
Rare diseases
Amylyx Axes Drug Program for Rare Neurodegenerative Disorder
AMX0035—approved as Relyvrio in 2022 for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis but voluntarily pulled from the market last year—was unable to distinguish itself from placebo in a mid-to-late-stage trial of progressive supranuclear palsy.
August 27, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
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