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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
Policy
Novo Nordisk Files Another Round of Lawsuits Over Semaglutide Copycats
After an initial series of legal complaints in June, Novo Nordisk filed four new lawsuits Thursday against Florida and Tennessee pharmacies for allegedly selling products containing semaglutide.
July 7, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Roche tower in Basel, Switzerland
Drug Development
Roche’s Tecentriq Boosts Survival in NSCLC Patients Ineligible for Platinum Chemo
Phase III trial data published Thursday show significant survival benefit as a first-line treatment in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients not fit for standard platinum-based doublet chemotherapy.
July 7, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Sign of U.S. Department of Health & Huma
Policy
CMS Expands Medicare Coverage for Leqembi After FDA Traditional Approval
Following the FDA’s full approval of the Alzheimer’s drug Thursday, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services confirmed broader coverage of Leqembi and released more details on a registry.
July 7, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: A sign in front of a Takeda building/iSt
Business
Takeda, F-star Sign Potential $1B Immuno-Oncology Agreement
The companies have signed two other pacts over the last year. In the latest deal, Takeda gains access to F-star’s platform to produce tetravalent antibodies for undisclosed oncology targets.
July 6, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: J&J's office in Madrid, Spain
J&J Maintains Top Pharma Brand Ranking Despite Industry Downturn
Johnson & Johnson remains the most valuable pharmaceutical brand, according to consultancy Brand Finance, beating out all other big pharma companies by a wide margin.
July 6, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Woman using eye drops/iStock, stefanamer
Bausch + Lomb Buys J&J’s Dry Eye Drops for $106.5M in Expansion of OTC Business
Following last week’s $1.75 billion deal to acquire Xiidra from Novartis, Bausch + Lomb is now buying J&J’s Blink product line in move to boost its over-the-counter eye care portfolio.
July 6, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Pfizer office in Brussels, Belgium/iStoc
Business
Pfizer Inks Manufacturing Deals with Samsung Biologics Worth Nearly $900M
The pharmaceutical giant is tapping the world’s largest biomanufacturing facility operated by Samsung Biologics for biosimilar production.
July 5, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
FDA signage at its office in Maryland
Policy
FDA Rejects Amneal’s Extended-Release Parkinson’s Drug
Citing insufficient safety evidence for one of the drug’s main ingredients, the regulator in a Complete Response Letter rejected the company’s application for Parkinson’s disease candidate IPX203.
July 5, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: FTC sign above a doorway/iStock, Evgenia
Policy
Amgen, Horizon Hit Back at FTC Lawsuit Seeking to Block Merger
The companies have filed their own suit against the Federal Trade Commission, claiming the FTC’s attempt to legally block their $28 billion merger is unconstitutional.
July 5, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Pre-filled injector device/iStock, sunny
First Round of Humira Biosimilar Launches in US
AbbVie’s Humira will now face competition from new biosimilars, including Boehringer Ingelheim’s Cyltezo, Celltrion’s Yuflyma, Organon and Samsung’s Hadlima, and Sandoz’s Hyrimoz.
July 3, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Scans of human brain /iStock, Nur Ceren
Drug Development
PTC’s Vatiquinone Fails Second Trial in as Many Months
More than a month after failing its Friedrich’s ataxia trial, PTC Therapeutics’ vatiquinone has again missed its primary endpoint, this time in a mitochondrial disease-associated seizures study.
June 30, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Eli Lilly Campus in San Diego
Deals
Lilly to Buy European ADC Player Emergence Therapeutics
In its third acquisition this month, Eli Lilly is buying antibody-drug conjugates startup Emergence Therapeutics to bolster its cancer business.
June 30, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
BioMarin's headquarters in San Francisco
FDA
BioMarin Wins FDA Approval for First Gene Therapy for Hemophilia A
After an initial rejection, BioMarin has finally secured the FDA’s approval for Roctavian, the first gene therapy in the U.S. for the most common form of the bleeding disorder.
June 30, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Blue and white Pfizer sign on building/T
FDA
Pfizer, OPKO Get FDA Nod for Pediatric Growth Hormone Deficiency Drug
Overcoming an FDA rejection in January 2022, Pfizer and OPKO’s Ngenla will provide a long-acting, reduced-frequency treatment option for children with growth hormone deficiency.
June 28, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Regeneron logo on a light brown building
Policy
FDA Blocks Regeneron’s Bid for Higher Eylea Dose
Citing issues with a third-party contractor, the FDA rejected Regeneron’s regulatory application for a higher-dose regimen of Eylea, the company’s blockbuster eye injection treatment.
June 28, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
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