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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.

Kirkland, Quebec, Canada - September 3, 2021: Merck Canada head office in Kirkland, Quebec, Canada. Merck is an American multinational pharmaceutical company.
Drug Development
ASCO: Merck Previews Keytruda’s Wins in Renal, Cervical Cancer
The company will present data at the oncology meeting showing the drug’s significant survival benefit in patients with advanced renal cancer and recurrent, persistent and metastatic cervical cancer.
May 26, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: scientist working on machine learning mo
Business
BenevolentAI Cuts Workforce, Pipeline in Strategic Realignment
The AI drug discovery company’s reorganization will include laying off around 180 employees and dropping its atopic dermatitis candidate BEN-2293 in an effort to save nearly $56 million.
May 25, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: A doctor holds a chest x-ray/courtesy of
Drug Development
Mirati’s Sitravatinib Fails in Phase III Lung Cancer Trial, Nixes Development
The investigational kinase inhibitor failed to improve overall survival in the SAPPHIRE study of patients with non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer, causing Mirati to discontinue its development.
May 25, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Drug Development
Annexon Sets Sights on Phase III Geographic Atrophy Trial Despite Missing Mid-Stage Mark
The company’s candidate, ANX007, did not significantly slow lesion growth in a Phase II trial but was effective at preserving visual function in patients with a form of dry age-related macular degeneration.
May 25, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
The PTC Therapeutics logo is pictured on a phone s
Drug Development
PTC Cuts Early-Stage Pipeline but Pushes Forward on FA Drug After Phase III Flop
Despite a disappointing showing in the Phase III MOVE-FA trial, PTC Therapeutics says it will move forward with regulatory talks for the Friedreich’s ataxia treatment. Meanwhile, the company is discontinuing several early-stage gene therapies and reducing its headcount.
May 24, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Courtesy of Amgen
Policy
Amgen, J&J Settle Patent Dispute Over Stelara Biosimilar
While the exact settlement details are confidential, the deal will allow Amgen to launch its Stelara biosimilar no later than January 1, 2025.
May 24, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Close up of $100 bills/Nomad_Soul/Adobe
Business
ElevateBio Takes Title of Largest 2023 Funding with $401M Series D
The Massachusetts-based company has claimed the year’s largest fundraise so far and secured a powerhouse R&D partner in Novo Nordisk to develop gene editing medicines.
May 24, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
A 3D rendering of a messenger RNA strand/iStock, l
Business
ReNAgade Launches with $300M to More Easily Deliver RNA Medicines
The Massachusetts-based startup’s goal is to develop RNA medicines that can treat diseases anywhere in the body using an “all-in-one” platform.
May 23, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
FDA Headquarters_Grandbrothers/Adobe Stock
FDA
Blueprint Adds Indolent Systemic Mastocytosis to Ayvakit’s Label
With the FDA’s approval on Monday, Ayvakit is the first and only treatment for adults with indolent systemic mastocytosis, a rare hematologic disorder, according to Blueprint Medicines.
May 23, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Pills spilling out from a yellow contain
FDA
FDA Approves First Nasal Nalmefene Spray for Opioid Overdose
Indivior’s Opvee is an emergency nasal spray medication to reverse opioid overdose approved for patients aged 12 years and above with signs of respiratory or central nervous system depression.
May 23, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Blue sign outside FDA building/JHVEPhoto
FDA
Krystal Gets First FDA Approval for Redosable Gene Therapy, Rare Skin Disease
The topical treatment Vyjuvek got the FDA’s greenlight, making it the first redosable gene therapy and the first therapeutic for the rare skin disease dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa.
May 22, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: AbbVie sign on a building/courtesy of Ad
FDA
AbbVie, Genmab Score FDA Nod for DLBCL as Blood Cancer Space Heats Up
With Friday’s approval, Epkinly edges out Roche’s bi-specific antibody glofitamab, which is also being proposed for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
May 22, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: AbbVie sign on a building/courtesy of Ad
FDA
AbbVie Adds Crohn’s Disease to Rinvoq’s Growing List of Indications
Crohn’s disease is Rinvoq’s seventh approved indication and could potentially help AbbVie weather declining sales for its blockbuster biologic Humira.
May 19, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
FDA Action Alert logo/© Nicole Bean for BioSpace
Policy
FDA Action Alert: Blueprint, Indivior and Lexicon
Blueprint Medicines, Indivior PLC and Lexicon Pharmaceuticals are all awaiting FDA decisions this week.
May 19, 2023
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4 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: A dry eye/Kryuchka Yaroslav_Adobe Stock
FDA
FDA Approves Bausch + Lomb, Novaliq Dry Eye Disease Drug
The regulator’s approval makes Miebo the first DED treatment that directly addresses tear evaporation. The drug is expected to hit U.S. markets in the second half of 2023.
May 19, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
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