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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.

Composite artwork collage image picture of aged lady hairdo isolated on creative background.
Pain
Tonix Wins Approval For First New Fibromyalgia Drug in Over 15 Years
In Phase III studies, Tonmya showed significantly superior analgesic effects in patients with fibromyalgia versus placebo. The sublingual pill also led to better clinical outcomes.
August 18, 2025
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1 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Novo Nordisk's logo on the facade of its building in Germany
MASH
Novo Wins MASH Approval for Wegovy
The label expansion could help Novo Nordisk “help shift the momentum” for Wegovy, after a difficult start to 2025, according to analysts at BMO Capital Markets.
August 18, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
The female hand is showing a thumbs-up gesture on a pink background, in an art collage. Positive hand sign. Fashion collage in the style of thumbs up magazine. Contemporary art. Modern design.
Approvals
Precigen Wins First FDA Immunotherapy Nod for Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis
Papzimeos is the first immunotherapy approved for recurrent respiratory papillomatosis, a rare lung disorder involving the development of benign tumors in the airways.
August 15, 2025
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1 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem tours the National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Cetner with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and U.S. Senator Rand Paul on Fort Detrick, Maryland, June 16, 2025. (DHS photo by Tia Dufour)
Vaccines
Kennedy Revives Childhood Vaccines Safety Group, Led by NIH’s Bhattacharya
The move comes after Robert F. Kennedy Jr. received pressure from the Children’s Health Defense, an anti-vaccine non-profit that he co-founded, which last month sued him over his failure to run the “statutorily required Task Force on childhood vaccine,” according to the lawsuit.
August 15, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks while President Donald Trump looks on
Vaccines
After Scrapping mRNA Contracts, Kennedy Says mRNA Vaccines ‘May Be Very Effective’ for Cancer
The Department of Health and Human Services’ mRNA pullback only applies to their use in upper respiratory disease, according to Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
August 15, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Contemporary art collage of hand holding an arrow showing fall. Modern design. Copy space.
Pipeline
Schrödinger Cans Early-Stage Blood Cancer Drug After Two Patient Deaths
After two patients who received the investigational CDC7 blocker died, pushing forward with SGR-2921’s development would be “difficult,” according to Schrödinger, whose stock dropped 17.5% before the opening bell on Thursday.
August 14, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Conceptual business illustration of upcoming business problem metaphor with falling domino and businessman silhouette. Minimalistic vector eps 10 illustration
Inflammatory bowel disease
CytomX Reports Treatment-Related Patient Death in Phase I Colorectal Cancer Study
The death was linked to acute kidney injury in a patient who had a single kidney remaining and a “complex medical history,” according to CytomX.
August 14, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
cutting off a row of people into pieces
Layoffs
Vedanta Downsizes by 20% After Phase II Stumble in Ulcerative Colitis
Vedanta is parting ways with 23 employees, or approximately 20% of its headcount, after Phase II data for microbiome therapy VE202 failed to demonstrate significant response rates in patients with ulcerative colitis.
August 14, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Tariffs
Trump Tarries on Tariffs Again, Delays Plans by Weeks: Report
Citing other priorities—such as the upcoming U.S.-Russia summit—four anonymous sources claim that pharma tariffs could still be weeks away, according to Reuters.
August 14, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Boss kick fired employee away form office. concept of lay off or underperform, failure or mistake
Layoffs
Generation Bio Boots 90% of Staff Amid Dwindling Cash Reserves
The layoffs will not spare Generation’s R&D team, which will initially be retained while the biotech completes its strategic review but will eventually be let go.
August 13, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Creative photo collage or modern art collage featuring symbols of law and justice. Hand holding a gavel and scales of justice with books about law.
Legal
Texas Accuses Lilly of ‘Bribing’ Prescribers To Push Mounjaro, Zepbound in New Suit
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton claims that through an alleged kickback scheme Eli Lilly “fraudulently sought to maximize profits at taxpayer expense.”
August 13, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Hand holding a lung shape symbol against a blue background. World tuberculosis day, world no tobacco day, lung cancer, pulmonary hypertension, pneumonia
Approvals
Insmed Wins Approval for First Bronchiectasis Drug and DPP1 Blocker
Insmed’s Brinsupri is the first DPP1 inhibitor approved by the FDA and the first treatment for bronchiectasis to reach the market.
August 13, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Retro collage hand holding pie chart diagram. Business data and market share concept. Modern retro grunge. Vector illustration
Gene therapy
Sarepta Provides New Elevidys Safety Data, Reveals Zero Ambulatory Deaths
Jefferies analysts said these detailed safety outcomes confirm the gene therapy’s positive risk/benefit profile in ambulatory patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
August 13, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Bayer office in Basel, Switzerland
Cancer
Bayer Makes Potential $1.3B Cancer Bet in Kumquat Deal
For $1.3 billion in aggregate—including upfront and milestone payments—Bayer will get exclusive global access to Kumquat Biosciences’ small-molecule KRAS G12D blocker.
August 12, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
View from above of male hand interfering collapsing dominos in a conceptual image of business crisis management. Over navy blue background.
Vaccines
HHS Freezes Vaxart’s Oral COVID-19 Vaccine, Again
The stop order came on Aug. 5, the same day Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. terminated 22 mRNA vaccine projects under the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, though Vaxart’s candidate is protein-based.
August 12, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
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