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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.

David L. Ryan/The Boston Globe via Getty
Business
Vertex Teases Launch of Landmark CRISPR Therapy
Vertex Pharmaceuticals is marching toward the launch of exa-cel with a lot of confidence, per its full-year 2022 presentation.
February 9, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Kena Betancur/VIEWpress/Corbis via Getty
Business
Bayer Caves to Investor Pressure, Picks Roche Vet as CEO
Amid mounting pressure from investors and shareholders, Bayer’s supervisory board unanimously appointed outsider Bill Anderson as its new CEO.
February 9, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Leon Neal/Getty Images
FDA
FDA Adcomm Clears Way for GSK’s Jemperli in Rectal Cancer
The FDA’s Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee voted 8-5 that two single-arm trials would be “sufficient to characterize the benefits and risks” of Jemperli in locally advanced rectal cancer.
February 8, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Craig F. Walker/The Boston Globe via Getty
Drug Development
Vertex Gives Update on Next-in-Class CF Therapy Amid Demand for Generics
Amid growing demands for generic versions of Vertex’s Trikafta, the company provided an update on the late-stage clinical development of its next-in-class triple combination for cystic fibrosis.
February 8, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Courtesy Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images
Drug Development
Roche Goes Toe-to-Toe with AstraZeneca’s Soliris in PNH
Data from a Phase III study show Genentech’s crovalimab is non-inferior to AstraZeneca’s Soliris, the current standard of care in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH).
February 7, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Business
Merck and Nectin to Study Novel Anti-PVR Candidate with Keytruda
Merck and Nectin Therapeutics announced a research collaboration agreement to study the safety and efficacy of Nectin’s investigational antibody in locally advanced and metastatic solid tumors.
February 7, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Yuriko Nakao/Getty Images
Business
Astellas Taps New CEO in Nod to Accelerated Growth
Astellas named a new president and CEO and announced additional changes to its leadership structure in an effort to accelerate growth and chart its long-term business trajectory.
February 6, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Stop sign in front of FDA headquarters/S
Drug Development
4D’s Fabry Gene Therapy on Ice After FDA-Mandated Pause
The FDA placed 4D Molecular Therapeutics’ gene therapy program, 4D-310, on clinical hold, the company announced Thursday.
February 6, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Chesnot/Getty Images
Drug Development
Sanofi Admits Defeat for Myasthenia Gravis Candidate, Drops Phase III Trial
Sanofi is discontinuing its Phase III study of tolebrutinib, an investigational BTK inhibitor for myasthenia gravis.
February 3, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Magenta Cuts 5 Executives, 84% of Staff Following Patient Death
Magenta Therapeutics is cutting about 84% of its workforce after a patient’s death halted a Phase I/II trial in acute myeloid leukemia.
February 3, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Leon Neal/Getty Images
FDA
GSK Wins Approval for CKD Anemia Drug – with Conditions
Wednesday, the FDA approved GSK’s daprodustat, now to be marketed as Jesduvroq, for the treatment of anemia due to chronic kidney disease in adult patients.
February 2, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Courtesy Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images
Drug Development
Roche Abandons AKT Prostate Cancer Asset
Roche is dropping its investigational AKT inhibitor ipatasertib, which was being assessed in a Phase III trial for castration-resistant prostate cancer, as well as several other candidates.
February 2, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Don Murray/Getty Images
Business
GSK Culls Celiac, S. aureus Candidates on FDA Decision Day for CKD Drug
GSK has dropped two assets, an investigational celiac disease therapeutic and a Staphylococcus aureus vaccine hopeful, from its pipeline.
February 1, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Drug Development
Taysha’s GAN Gene Therapy Hits FDA Speedbump
The FDA asked Taysha Gene Therapies to dose more patients in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial before submitting a BLA for its giant axonal neuropathy candidate.
February 1, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Courtesy of Getty Images
Business
Amgen Downsizes by 300 Amid Industry Constriction
Amgen is implementing organizational changes including laying off approximately 300 team members, confirmed Monday.
January 30, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
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