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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.

Courtesy of Getty Photos
Drug Development
FDA Approves First Reversible BTK Inhibitor
The FDA granted Eli Lilly’s Jaypirca accelerated approval for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma.
January 30, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Courtesy of Kena Betancur/Getty Images
FDA
Merck’s Keytruda Snags Fifth NSCLC Nod
The FDA approved Merck’s Keytruda for the treatment of stage IB, II or IIIA non-small cell lung cancer after resection or platinum-based chemotherapy.
January 27, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
simonkr_Getty Images
Drug Development
AC Immune Expands Vaccine Candidate to Down Syndrome
Phase I/II data showed AC Immune’s anti-amyloid-beta vaccine candidate could safely elicit an antibody response in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Now, it will expand to Down Syndrome patients.
January 26, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Drug Development
Patient Death Pauses Another AML Trial
Following the death of a patient, Magenta Therapeutics placed a hold on Phase I/II dose-escalation trial of its acute myeloid leukemia therapy.
January 26, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Drug Development
A Hit and a Miss for Merck’s Keytruda
Merck posted a rare defeat Wednesday for its blockbuster Keytruda (pembrolizumab) in prostate cancer while simultaneously announcing a victory in biliary tract cancer.
January 25, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Courtesy Getty Images
Drug Development
Axcella Clears Regulatory Path for Long COVID Therapeutic (Updated)
Axcella Therapeutics’ Long COVID fatigue therapeutic is moving forward as the company received guidance from the MHRA and filed an IND with the FDA seeking a Phase IIb/III trial.
January 24, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Drug Development
Pliant Seeks $175 Raise on Heels of Promising Mid-Stage IPF Data
After reporting promising interim findings from the Phase IIa INTEGRIS-IPF trial, Pliant Therapeutics commenced a public stock offering of $175 million.
January 24, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Researchers in lab/Getty Images
Drug Development
Ipsen Becomes First to Best Standard of Care in Metastatic PDAC
Phase III data showed Ipsen’s Onivyde boosted overall survival in metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
January 23, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Courtesy Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images
Business
Takeda Puts Up $1B-Plus for Hutchmed’s Colorectal Cancer Drug
Takeda entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with Hutchmed Limited to develop its colorectal cancer candidate, fruquintinib, beyond mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau.
January 23, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Courtesy of Cristina Arias/Getty Images
Drug Development
Innovative Trial Design may have Cost Lilly’s Donanemab Accelerated Approval
The FDA issued a complete response letter Thursday refusing accelerated approval for Eli Lilly’s Alzheimer’s disease candidate donanemab.
January 20, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Courtesy of Getty Images
Business
Weeks After Reverse Merger, Disc Expands Hematologic Pipeline
Disc Medicine inked an exclusive license agreement with Mabwell Therapeutics for the latter’s portfolio of monoclonal antibodies against the TMPRSS6 protein.
January 20, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Courtesy Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images
Drug Development
Roche’s Tecentriq/Avastin Combo Scores a First in Liver Cancer
Roche’s Tecentriq (atezolizumab) combined with Avastin (bevacizumab) met the primary efficacy endpoint in early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma in the Phase III IMbrave050 study.
January 19, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Drug Development
J&J Shuts Down Second HIV Vaccine Trial in as Many Years
Johnson & Johnson discontinued the Phase III trial of an investigational HIV vaccine regimen Wednesday after an independent review showed it was ineffective at preventing disease.
January 19, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Courtesy Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Drug Development
Horizon Bags Second Phase II Win in Sjögren’s Syndrome
Horizon Therapeutics’ dazodalibep met the primary endpoint in a second straight Phase II trial for Sjögren’s syndrome.
January 18, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
Onivyde failed in the trial of late-stage small ce
Drug Development
Junshi’s Phase III PD-1 Blocker Shows Promise in NSCLC
A pre-specified interim analysis of Junshi Biosciences’ Phase III Neotorch trial showed its anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody, toripalimab, met its primary endpoint in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
January 18, 2023
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Tristan Manalac
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