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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.

Drug Development
Dupixent Clears Phase III in Bid to Become First Biologic for COPD
Sanofi and Regeneron’s Dupixent (dupilumab) met its primary and all secondary endpoints in the Phase III BOREAS trial, significantly reducing severe exacerbations in COPD.
March 23, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images
Drug Development
FDA Adcomm Backs Accelerated Approval of Biogen’s Tofersen in SOD1-ALS
The FDA’s Peripheral and Central Nervous System Drugs Advisory Committee voted 9-0 that tofersen’s effect on neurofilament light chain (NfL) could be a reasonable predictor of clinical benefit.
March 23, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Young team during virus lab tests. Multi ethnic scientists focused on work. Wearing protective workwear
Drug Development
Mid-Stage Win Gives 89Bio a Boost in NASH Race
Data from the Phase IIb ENLIVEN trial showed 89bio’s pegozafermin met its primary histology endpoint in NASH patients, giving the company an edge in the competitive space.
March 22, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Stack of coins/Courtesy Getty Images
Genetown
Pfizer-Backed Flare Seeks Transcription Factor Therapies with $123M Series B
Flare Therapeutics closed Wednesday an oversubscribed Series B funding round, counting $123 million in earnings, which it will use to advance its lead precision oncology asset FX-909 in urothelial cancer.
March 22, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: BioNTech Headquarters/Courtesy of Getty
Business
With CTLA-4 Antibody Deal, BioNTech Comes Face-to-Face with BMS’ Yervoy
BioNTech inked an exclusive worldwide license and collaboration agreement with OncoC4 to develop and commercialize its investigational anti-CTLA-4 antibody ONC-392 for solid tumors.
March 21, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
In Control Room Doctor and Radiologist Discuss Diagnosis while Watching Procedure and Monitors Showing Brain Scans Results, In the Background Patient Undergoes MRI or CT Scan Procedure.
Drug Development
Karuna’s KarXT Aces Third Registrational Study in Schizophrenia
Karuna Therapeutics released data Monday from the Phase III EMERGENT-3 trial showing that KarXT met the primary endpoint, significantly improving symptom severity.
March 20, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Harold Cunningham/Getty Images
Business
Novartis, Biogen Scrap Gene Regulation Partnerships with Sangamo
Sangamo Therapeutics lost two powerhouse partners Friday after it reported that both Novartis and Biogen discontinued focusing on gene regulation therapies in the neurology space.
March 20, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Courtesy of Daiichi Sankyo
Drug Development
Esperion-Daiichi Sankyo Partnership Saga Continues with Payment Spat
For Daiichi Sankyo, recent results from the Phase III CLEAR trial of Esperion Therapeutics’ Nexletol (bempedoic acid) were not convincing enough to trigger a milestone payment.
March 17, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Policy
FDA Action Alert: Biogen/Ionis, Cidara and Incyte
An advisory committee will meet March 22 to discuss the fate of Biogen and Ionis’ ALS hopeful tofersen. For that and more, see inside.
March 17, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Amgen sign/courtesy Al Seib/Los Angeles
Business
Amgen Cuts 450 Jobs in Second Round of Layoffs This Year
Amgen is terminating 450 workers in hopes of weathering dropping drug prices and rising inflation. This is Amgen’s second round of job cuts this year.
March 17, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Sarepta sign on a brick building/courtes
Drug Development
FDA Reverses Course; Will Hold Adcomm for Sarepta’s DMD Gene Therapy
The FDA will hold an advisory committee meeting for Sarepta’s investigational gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy ahead of its May 29, 2023 action date.
March 17, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Drug Development
Aldena Raises $30M to Advance Skin-Deep siRNA Therapies
The new financing will help the Boston-based biotech accelerate the development of its siRNA-based therapies for immuno-dermatology indications.
March 16, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Deals
Concentra’s Buy Offer May Jeopardize Jounce’s Merger with Redx
Jounce Therapeutics has received an unsolicited and non-binding acquisition proposal from Concentra Biosciences, looking to buy 100% of Jounce’s equity at a per-share price of $1.80 in cash.
March 15, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images
Drug Development
Veru Moves Forward with Late-Stage COVID Study Despite FDA Roadblock
Weeks after the FDA rejected Veru’s Emergency Use Authorization bid for sabizabulin in COVID-19, the company announced plans to continue with late-stage development of the drug.
March 15, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Courtesy Taljat David/Getty Images
Business
Novartis Explores Sale of Certain Ophthalmology Assets
To hone in on its growth areas, Novartis is looking to trim its ophthalmology portfolio and sell off some of its assets, according to a Bloomberg report published Tuesday.
March 14, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
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