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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.

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
Close-Up Of Syringe With Bottles Against Blue Background
Vaccines
FDA Issues Back-to-Back Vaccine Approvals as RFK Jr. Takes HHS Seat
The approvals come as Robert F. Kennedy Jr.—who has been critical of vaccines—takes leadership of the Department of Health and Human Services.
February 17, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Employee competency assessment. Collage of hands holding king and a pawn. Succession planning.
Cancer
Ono’s FDA Rare Cancer Approval Sets Up Face Off With Daiichi Sankyo
Ono picked up Romvimza—previously known by its active ingredient vimseltinib—from its $2.4 billion acquisition of Deciphera Pharmaceuticals in April 2024.
February 17, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Blue Sanofi sign on building in Germany at night
Approvals
Sanofi Challenges Novo With First FDA Nod for NovoLog Biosimilar
Merilog’s approval comes as the insulin space has over the past year suffered several setbacks, including strong calls for price caps and, potentially, the rise of the mammoth GLP-1 market.
February 17, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Facade of Moderna's building in Massachusetts
Earnings
Moderna Reports Higher-Than-Expected Losses While Anticipating Layoffs
In its fourth-quarter earnings report, Moderna’s revenue was down substantially from 2023. Separately, media reports reveal anticipated cuts to the company’s digital team.
February 14, 2025
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3 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: BMS sign on a building in San Diego, California/iStock, JHVEPhoto
Cancer
BMS’ Phase III Opdualag Melanoma Fail Could Limit Market Opportunity: Analysts
The failure in adjuvant melanoma could cause BMS and Opdualag to miss out on a market opportunity that is nearly twice as large as its current approved indication, according to analysts.
February 14, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Two hands locked in a handshake cut by a pair of scissors, symbolizing a severed relationship or partnership. Black and white collage illustration on paper textured background
Collaboration
Amgen, Ideaya Call It Quits on Cancer Combo
Amgen will continue to advance half of the combo, PRMT5 inhibitor AMG 193, for which it is running a mid-stage trial in MTAP-null advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
February 14, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Speech balloon conversation in puzzle shape vector illustration card. Human hands exchange information in retro 80s collage vector illustration. Concept of success in communication, support, cooperation; new projects, professional growth.
Immunology and inflammation
Pliant Brings in Outside Experts to Review IPF Study Pause
The experts will assess unblinded data from BEACON-IPF to figure out why a data safety monitoring board recommended suspension of the idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis trial.
February 14, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Sanofi's Distribution Center in Quebec, Canada
Vaccines
Sanofi Hit With $250M Impairment After Scrapping J&J-Partnered E. coli Vaccine
Without providing specific data, Sanofi on Thursday announced that the experimental vaccine did not significantly prevent invasive E. coli disease versus placebo.
February 13, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Female alcoholism concept. Unhappy woman sitting at bottle bottom hugging her knees. Sad drunk wife or alcoholic mother. Social issue, abuse, addiction. Empty alcohol drink bottles vector Illustration
GLP-1
Novo’s Semaglutide Shows Promise for Alcohol Use Disorder
The data, published in JAMA Psychiatry, add to the growing body of evidence supporting the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists for addictive disorders.
February 13, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Roche's tower in Shanghai, China
Approvals
Roche’s Evrysdi Becomes First Pill Cleared for Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Evrysdi is the first, and so far only, noninvasive disease-modifying treatment for spinal muscular atrophy.
February 13, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Signage at Pfizer's world headquarters in New York City
Approvals
Pfizer Continues Cancer Rally as Adectris Label Expands to Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas
Leaked data showed that Pfizer’s mevrometostat has strong therapeutic potential in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, while recent readouts also position the pharma as a strong contender in colorectal cancer and bladder cancer.
February 13, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Handshake gesture contemporary collage art. Celebrating success, congratulating for financial and business partnership, job contract deal, mutual friendship and respect. Abstract illustration isolated.
Collaboration
Biogen Taps Royalty Pharma for $250M to Power Phase III Lupus Program
The funding agreement comes as Biogen revealed a modest Q4 sales beat, which analysts expect will be “overshadowed” by the company’s forecasted dip in 2025 revenues.
February 12, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Minimal Clip Art Collage. Pop Vector Design Composition with bright bold geometric shapes, halftone objects for ad, animation etc
Approvals
SpringWorks Wins FDA Nod for Neurofibromatosis Drug, Tees Up Challenge to AstraZeneca
The approval comes days after Germany’s Merck KGaA confirmed it was in advanced talks to acquire SpringWorks.
February 12, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Incyte's logo on its building in Delaware
Collaboration
Incyte Backs Out of Immuno-Oncology Pact With Agenus
The partnership dates back to 2015, when Incyte paid $60 million upfront for access to four checkpoint programs, including TIM-3, LAG-3, OX40 and GITR.
February 12, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
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