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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.

Gilead's headquarters in Silicon Valley
Infectious disease
Anticipating Approval, Gilead Gears Up for Mid-Year Launch for Lenacapavir PrEP
Gilead beat consensus estimates in Q4 with $7.6 billion in revenue, driven largely by its HIV drug Biktarvy and CAR T therapies Trodelvy and Yescarta.
February 12, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Novartis' office building in Marburg, Germany
Mergers & acquisitions
Novartis Bets Up to $3.1B to Buy Back Blood Thinner in Anthos Acquisition
Novartis is paying $925 million upfront to acquire Anthos Therapeutics, whose launch the pharma backed in February 2019.
February 11, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Merck KGaA signage at its headquarters in Darmstadt, Germany
Mergers & acquisitions
Merck KGaA Courts Cancer Biotech SpringWorks for Potential Buyout
Following an initial report from Reuters, Merck KGaA confirmed that it is in talks with SpringWorks for a potential acquisition, though details of its offer have yet to be revealed.
February 11, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Eli Lilly's biotechnology center in California
Collaboration
Lilly Signs Back-to-Back Deals in MASH, Cancer
Eli Lilly inked two collaborations on Monday, one focused on cardiometabolic diseases with South Korea’s OliX Pharmaceuticals and another for cancer therapies with Australia’s AdvanCell.
February 11, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Entrance to Vertex's office in Boston, Massachusetts
Pain
Vertex Eyes Expansive, Easy Access for Journavx in Coming Weeks
Vertex expects to make the newly approved non-opioid pain medicine Journavx available by the end of February.
February 11, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Bristol Myers Squibb office in California
Lymphoma
BMS Positions Breyanzi for Another Indication as LOE Woes Mount
Adding a new indication for the CAR T cell therapy could help BMS offset the loss-of-exclusivity headwinds it faces in the coming years.
February 10, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Trendy halftone business concept collage. Idea concept, business concept, financial planning,financial profit, favorable conditions, favorable conditions. Trendy modern retro illustration in bright trendy colors. Vector illustration
Mergers & acquisitions
Bain Bets Big on Japanese Market With $3.3B Tanabe Buy
The carve-out acquisition will allow Bain to capitalize on the “promising signs for growth” in the Japanese life sciences market, recently revitalized by more industry-friendly policy changes from the government.
February 10, 2025
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1 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Contemporary art collage of hand holding an arrow showing fall. Modern design. Copy space.
Immunology and inflammation
Pliant Stock Crashes After Suspension of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Study
It is unclear why an independent data safety monitoring board recommended the suspension of Pliant’s Phase IIb/III BEACON-IPF study in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
February 10, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Businessman holding a dart aiming at the target - business targeting, aiming, focus concept. Art collage.
Rare diseases
AceLink’s Fabry Hopeful Shows Potential in Mid-Stage Study
AceLink is advancing a small-molecule treatment option for Fabry disease that could provide a more convenient alternative to the current enzyme replacement therapy standard.
February 10, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
A brain hovers over a hand against a yellow-striped background
Alzheimer’s disease
As US Sales of Leqembi Lag, Eisai Eyes SubQ Approvals
Leqembi’s sales in the U.S. continue to underwhelm, overshadowed by its growth in international markets.
February 7, 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.
Mergers & acquisitions
Nasdaq Neophytes Acelyrin, Alumis Merge to Tackle Immune-Mediated Diseases
Alumis held its initial public offering in June last year, while Acelyrin debuted on the Nasdaq in mid-2023.
February 7, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Intestine 3d symbol in paper cut style. Small and large intestine, digestive tract design. Organ anatomy craft illustration. Cut out of paper banner.
Inflammatory bowel disease
Equillium’s Itolizumab Goes Toe-to-Toe With Humira in Ulcerative Colitis
In a mid-stage study, the candidate itolizumab achieved 23.3% clinical remission rate at 12 weeks, numerically better than Humira’s 20% at the same time point.
February 7, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Tension, separation, danger or risk concepts. Frayed rope is about to brake on blue background with copy space.
Legal
Regeneron Sues Sanofi, Alleging Stonewalling in Dupixent Pact
According to the lawsuit, Sanofi has failed to provide partner Regeneron adequate information regarding the sales of Dupixent—including agreements with payers and pharmacy benefit managers that determine pricing and rebates for the drug.
February 7, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
3d render, open blue door isolated on blue background, yellow light going through the slot. Architectural design element. Modern minimal concept. Opportunity metaphor.
Business
Viracta Winds Down Business, Unable to Weather Financial Troubles
Viracta’s closure comes on the heels of its delisting from Nasdaq last month and multiple rounds of layoffs last year.
February 6, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Facade of AstraZeneca's office in Shanghai, China
Earnings
AstraZeneca Axes Two Alexion Assets as Q4 Earnings Exceed Expectations
Despite the discontinuations, CEO Pascal Soriot said AstraZeneca’s December 2020 acquisition of Alexion was a “fantastic” deal for the pharma.
February 6, 2025
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3 min read
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Tristan Manalac
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