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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.

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Pain
Vertex’s Journavx Changes the Pain Treatment Landscape But Opioids Here to Stay
Non-opioid pain therapies are entering an unprecedented era, marked by the landmark FDA approval of Vertex’s Journavx and a growing number of alternative approaches. Their ultimate uptake, however, remains to be seen.
February 24, 2025
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9 min read
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Tristan Manalac
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Mergers & acquisitions
Concentra Offers to Buy Acelyrin, Endangering Proposed Merger With Alumis
Acelyrin earlier this month agreed to an all-stock merger with fellow immune player Alumis, with their combined cash tiding the combined company over until 2027.
February 21, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Signage at Pfizer's world headquarters in New York City
Gene therapy
Pfizer Axes Beqvez Worldwide, Pivoting Away From Gene Therapy for Hemophilia
The move comes weeks after Pfizer terminated its partnership with Sangamo Therapeutics for another hemophilia gene therapy.
February 21, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Photo of a GLP-1 injector pen on a blue background
GLP-1s
Coalition Urges FDA to Act as Report Finds Illegal GLP-1 Ingredients ‘Flooding’ Into US
Many of these unlawful and unauthorized shipments were explicitly tagged for compounding, according to a new analysis. Separately, a group of state attorneys general has raised concerns about the unsafe GLP-1 drugs finding their way to American consumers.
February 21, 2025
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4 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Front view of the CDC museum in Georgia
Vaccines
CDC Vaccine Advisory Board Meeting Postponed Days After RFK Jr. Confirmation
The postponed ACIP meeting comes barely a week after Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. was confirmed as Secretary of Health and Human Services, despite controversy regarding his anti-vaccine history.
February 21, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Facade of AstraZeneca's office in Shanghai, China
Mergers & acquisitions
AstraZeneca Buys FibroGen’s China Unit for $160M as Probes Continue
A year ago, AstraZeneca walked away from the bulk of its roxadustat partnership with FibroGen—though the pharma at the time decided to retain its relationship with the biotech’s China operations.
February 20, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Contemporary art collage showing a hand giving a thumbs down surrounded by red arrows pointing down, concept of negative feedback and bad review
Regulatory
FDA Kicks Down Harmony’s Bid to Push Wakix Into Idiopathic Hypersomnia
Despite the regulatory setback, analysts appear optimistic, noting that Harmony’s long-term prospects remain bright given the development of its high-dose formulation of its sleep-regulating drug Wakix.
February 20, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Entrance of the FTC in Washington, DC
Government
FTC Doubles Down on Tighter Merger Rules Despite Trump’s Pro-Industry Posture
Despite expectations of dealmaking leniency, new FTC chairman Andrew Ferguson told staff that he will retain the current 2023 FTC and DOJ guidelines on mergers, upholding stricter anti-trust scrutiny on deals.
February 20, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Profile view, and Mental Illness
Depression
Supernus Falls Back on CNS Portfolio as Depression Drug Fails Mid-Stage Study
After SPN-820’s failure, Supernus is relying on its non-stimulant ADHD drug Qelbree and the recently approved Parkinson’s therapy Onapgo to sustain the company.
February 20, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Gilead's headquarters in Silicon Valley
Kidney cancer
Gilead Passes on Option for Arcus’ Cancer Drug Despite Strong Early Data
The news comes on the heels of promising Phase I/Ib data, which point to the potential of casdatifan as a more effective alternative to Merck’s Welireg in renal cell carcinoma.
February 19, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Deviation from the plan, path or norms. Choosing an alternative way, changing the plans and flexibility.
Pipeline
Exelixis Looks to Next-Gen Cancer Drug as Cabometyx Underwhelms Again
Exelixis’ next-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor zanzalintinib is being tested for colorectal cancer, renal cell carcinoma and head-and-neck cancer, with several readouts slated for the second half of 2025.
February 19, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Art collage, hands and scales of justice. The concept of the law of the judge.
Legal
RFK Jr.-Linked Lawsuit Against Merck Suspended After Confirmation: Reuters
Recently appointed HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in 2018 helped bring several cases against vaccine maker Merck, alleging injury linked to its HPV shot Gardasil.
February 19, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
A young business man holding an umbrella to shield himself against a strong headwind. Conceptual image depicting adversity.
Patents
5 Pharma Powerhouses Facing Massive Patent Cliffs—And What They’re Doing About It
Merck’s Keytruda may be the most talked about drug facing loss of exclusivity but it’s far from the only one, as several of the industry’s top-performers are losing key market protections. Some companies are more prepared than others.
February 19, 2025
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10 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Balloon and missed bow spears arround . Target audience and marketing concept . This is a 3d render illustration .
Pain
AlgoTx Stumbles in Non-Opioid Pain Trial Following Vertex’s Journavx Approval
AlgoTherapeutix blames a “strong placebo effect” for the mid-stage failure for its pain gel ATX01, but the company still believes in the promise of its candidate as Vertex Pharmaceuticals’ first-in-class drug Journavx opens up the non-opioid space.
February 18, 2025
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3 min read
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Tristan Manalac
2D illustration of kidneys
Cancer
Arcus Challenges Merck in Kidney Cancer with Early Data
Casdatifan’s progression-free survival benefits could help differentiate it from Merck’s Welireg in the kidney cancer arena, according to analysts at Truist Securities.
February 18, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
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