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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.

Paper human heads with colorful puzzle pieces on a light background. World autism day concept
Alzheimer’s disease
Eisai Lowers Sales Expectations for Leqembi Again, Citing Slow US Uptake
Eisai’s new fiscal 2027 forecast for Leqembi is roughly 50% lower than its projections a year ago.
March 26, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
A doctor's hand in a blue medical glove holding a jar of medicine or vitamins on a blue background with copy space. Vector illustration in flat style
FDA
GSK Wins FDA Nod for First Oral UTI Antibiotic in Almost 30 Years
Blujepa, which treats UTIs in female patients aged 12 and up with common and uncomplicated infections, will hit the market in the second half of this year.
March 26, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
External view of the U.S. Capitol building
Government
Senate Confirms Makary as FDA Chief as Trump’s Health Nominees Move Forward
Marty Makary earlier this month distanced himself from the recent shake-ups at the FDA, including the cancellation of its vaccines advisory committee meeting and the steep layoffs at the agency.
March 26, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
South San Francisco, CA, USA - May 1, 2022: Exterior view of the Merck Researches Laboratories in South San Francisco, California. Merck & Co., Inc. is a global pharmaceutical company headquartered in Rahway, New Jersey. The company does business as Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD) outside the United States and Canada.
Collaboration
Merck Commits Nearly $2B for Oral Lipid-Lowering Drug from Chinese Biotech
Merck joins a growing list of companies targeting lipoprotein(a), high levels of which are associated with an elevated risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes.
March 25, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Sale discounts and promotions. Loans and mortgages. Cashback shopping bonus. Rising borrowing payments
Policy
Trump Doubles Down on Pharma Tariff Threats
President Donald Trump’s tariffs on pharmaceuticals “to come at some point,” per CNBC, as companies promise to build infrastructure in the U.S.
March 25, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Glasses and lenses for correcting vision on a colored background. High quality photo
Drug development
Opthea, UNITY Fail to Unseat Regeneron’s Eylea in Vision Disorders
The Eylea franchise was in need of a win after an appellate court last week denied the pharma’s bid to block Amgen’s biosimilar from the U.S.
March 25, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
CDC approved vaccines for adults to boost the immu
Government
Trump Nominates Acting Director Monarez as CDC Head
If confirmed, Susan Monarez will have her work cut out for her, facing a measles outbreak that has already killed two people—the first measles-related deaths in the U.S. since 2015.
March 25, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Facade of Novo Nordisk's office in Fremont, California
Weight loss
Novo Challenges Lilly With up to $2B Bet for Triple-G Obesity Drug From Chinese Biotech
Novo will license UTB251, a triple hormone receptor agonist that in mid-2023 achieved 24% weight reduction at 48 weeks in a mid-stage study.
March 24, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Facade of AstraZeneca's office in Shanghai, China
China
AstraZeneca Makes Potential $10B+ China Commitment Despite Political Pressure
The investments come amid an ongoing insurance fraud probe into AstraZeneca’s former China head Leon Wang—and despite mounting pressure from President Trump for pharma companies to re-shore their manufacturing operations.
March 24, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Paper torn and revealing dollar bill. Financial investment and cash income
Legal
AbbVie Lawsuit Alleges That Partner Genmab “Misappropriated” Trade Secrets
AbbVie claims that Genmab turned a blind eye to trade secret theft allegedly used to support the development of ProfoundBio’s investigational antibody-drug conjugates. Genmab acquired ProfoundBio in May 2024.
March 24, 2025
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Sign at J&J Vision offices in Silicon Valley
FDA
J&J Wins Crohn’s Expansion for Tremfya as Stelara Biosimilars Enter US Market
The label expansion could help J&J establish Tremfya as a successor to Stelara, which is now facing a growing biosimilar challenge.
March 21, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: CDC signage at its headquarters in Georg
Vaccines
CDC Vaccine Advisors to Meet in April as Trump Eyes New Agency Director
After withdrawing its nomination for Dave Weldon last week, the Trump administration is now reportedly considering Texas Republican Michael Burgess to head the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
March 21, 2025
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Tristan Manalac
Man making decision what path, direction to take. Arrows pointing in different directions
Business
Adaptimmune Raises ‘Substantial Doubt’ About Business Despite First-in-Class T Cell Therapy
Adaptimmune is rolling out its T cell therapy Tecelra for synovial sarcoma, recording $1.2 million in sales since its approval in August 2024. Nevertheless, it is pausing development of two oncology assets to save money.
March 21, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Blue Sanofi sign on building in Germany at night
I&I
Sanofi Commits up to $1.9B for Dren Bio’s Bispecific Antibody for Autoimmune Disease
The deal is the latest in a series of Sanofi investments in its immunology portfolio. According to Sanfoi, DR-0201 can achieve deep B cell depletion, giving it the potential to reset the immune system.
March 20, 2025
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Tristan Manalac
Dollar banknote cut into pieces on a yellow background
Bankruptcy
Purdue Files for Bankruptcy Anew to Support $7.4B+ Opioid Settlement
The Supreme Court last year blocked a previous settlement proposal from Purdue, arguing that the plan would afford the Sackler family too much protection.
March 20, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
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