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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.

Pictured: Two scientists in a medical research lab
Business
AstraZeneca Deepens Gene Editing Capabilities with Revvity Partnership
Under a non-exclusive agreement, AstraZeneca is licensing biotech Revvity’s base editing technology to help create cell therapies for the treatment of cancer and immune-mediated diseases.
May 18, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Syringe pulling vaccine from a vial / Ad
FDA
FDA Panel Backs Pfizer’s Maternal RSV Vaccine Despite Safety Concerns
An advisory committee of outside experts voted unanimously Thursday that Pfizer’s vaccine was effective in preventing severe disease, but some had questions regarding its safety.
May 18, 2023
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3 min read
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Tristan Manalac
CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing enzyme, 3d illustration
Business
Lilly’s Prevail, Doudna’s Scribe Partner on Genetic Treatments for Neuro Diseases
The $75 million deal will leverage Scribe’s CRISPR technologies to develop gene therapies for neurological and neuromuscular disorders. Scribe previously struck deals with Biogen and Sanofi.
May 17, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Courtesy of inside-studio/Getty Images
Drug Development
Viking Therapeutics Clears Mid-Stage NASH Trial
Results from Phase IIb VOYAGE study showed Viking’s oral thyroid beta receptor agonist cut liver fat content by up to 51% in confirmed non-alcoholic steatohepatitis patients.
May 16, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Supreme Court building/Courtesy Adobe St
Policy
Supreme Court Denies Teva’s Challenge to $235M GSK Award in Patent Dispute
The U.S. Supreme Court’s denial of Teva Pharmaceuticals’ appeal could have broad ramifications for the wider generics industry, for which “skinny labeling” is a common and accepted practice.
May 16, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Front of FDA headquarters/Grandbrothers/
Drug Development
Astellas Wins FDA Approval for Hot Flash Treatment in Menopausal Women
Veozah, an oral once-daily medication, is the first FDA-approved NK3 receptor antagonist for hot flashes, a common symptom of menopause that can affect health and quality of life.
May 15, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Blue and white Sanofi sign on building/R
Drug Development
Sanofi, AstraZeneca Report Promising RSV Pediatric Data Ahead of Pfizer Adcomm
Nirsevimab lowered hospitalizations due to RSV-related lower respiratory tract disease by 83.21%. Friday’s data drop comes ahead of next week’s advisory committee meeting for Pfizer’s RSV hopeful.
May 12, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
FDA/Courtesy: Grandbrothers, Adobe Stock
FDA
FDA Advisory Panel Backs ARS Pharma’s Epinephrine Nasal Spray
Despite concerns regarding neffy’s lack of clinical evidence, the panel of experts voted in favor of the nasal spray’s approval for the emergency treatment of type 1 allergic reactions.
May 12, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: U.S. Capitol/Courtesy Andrea Izzotti/Ado
Policy
Senate Health Committee Seeks to Rein in Drug Prices with Four New Bills
Lawmakers on Thursday voted 18–3 to increase oversight of pharmacy benefit managers and limit their practice of spread pricing, when PBMs charge payers for drugs more than they pay pharmacies.
May 12, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: FDA Action Alert graphic/@Nicole Bean
Drug Development
FDA Action Alert: Krystal, Genmab/AbbVie, Pfizer and Intercept
The FDA has four events lined up this week, including a target action date for Krystal Biotech’s gene therapy for a rare skin disease and an adcomm meeting for Pfizer’s RSV vaccine candidate.
May 11, 2023
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5 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Martin Shkreli walking, Courtesy JStone/
Deals
Convicted ‘Pharma Bro’ Shkreli’s Vyera Files for Bankruptcy
The Chapter 11 bankruptcy was driven by increasing generic competition, declining profits and the unrelenting legal woes of its head Martin Shkreli, dubbed “Pharma Bro” in the media.
May 11, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Front of FDA headquarters/Grandbrothers/
FDA
FDA Advisory Panel Strongly Backs Perrigo’s OTC Birth Control Pill
The joint committee of external experts voted unanimously in favor of Perrigo, finding that the benefits of allowing non-prescription use of the birth control tablet Opill outweigh its risks.
May 11, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Blue sign outside FDA building/JHVEPhoto
FDA
FDA Approves Fabry Disease Treatment from Chiesi, Protalix
Elfabrio’s label contains a boxed warning for hypersensitivity reactions, such as anaphylaxis, and recommends that medical support measures should be on standby when administering the treatment.
May 10, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Courtesy of Amgen
Business
Amgen Drops Drug Delivery Partnership, Targets Crohn’s Disease with TScan Pact
The biotech company shuffled deals around Tuesday, dropping a four-year collaboration with Israel’s Entera Bio and picking a new partner in Massachusetts-based TScan Therapeutics.
May 10, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Courtesy of Tada Images/Getty Images
Policy
Gilead Wins HIV Patent Suit, Nabs Oncology and Inflammation Startup
The biopharma company scored two major wins on Tuesday: a court victory over HIV patent claims and an acquisition deal to expand its pipeline in cancer and inflammatory diseases.
May 10, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
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