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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.

Vera CEO and founder Marshall Fordyce, M.D./courte
Drug Development
Market Appears to Question Competitive Prospects of Vera’s IgAN Therapy
Vera Therapeutics’ stock crashed following the reveal of data from a Phase IIb study of atacicept in IgAN.
January 4, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Courtesy of Amgen
Drug Development
Reanalysis of Key Trial Flags Fresh Safety Concerns for Amgen’s Repatha (Updated)
Amgen’s Repatha may cause cardiac harm, according to a reassessment of the biologic’s late-stage trial data.
January 4, 2023
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3 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Courtesy of Getty Images
Drug Development
Chemomab Claims Mid-Stage Win in NASH
Chemomab’s experimental antibody shows promise in NASH.
January 3, 2023
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Business
Merck Expands ADC Footprint with $9.3B Kelun Licensing Deal
Merck entered into a license and collaboration agreement with Chinese company Kelun-Biotech to develop seven antibody-drug conjugates candidates against oncology targets.
December 22, 2022
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Courtesy of Getty Images
Drug Development
Lexicon’s AAK1 Inhibitor Disappoints in Phase II Postherpetic Neuralgia Study
Lexicon Pharmaceuticals’ LX9211 fell short of its primary efficacy endpoint, according to topline data from the Phase II RELIEF-PHN-1 study in post-herpetic neuralgia.
December 22, 2022
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Harold Cunningham/Getty Images
Business
Novartis’ Restructuring Claims 285 Jobs in New Jersey
Novartis will eliminate 285 jobs across units in New Jersey. The terminations will take effect on January 28, 2023.
December 20, 2022
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Courtesy of Getty Images
Drug Development
bluebird’s SCD Gene Therapy Released from Partial Hold
The FDA lifted its partial clinical hold on bluebird’s experimental sickle cell disease gene therapy for patients younger than 18.
December 20, 2022
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Courtesy of Getty Images
Business
Lilly Plunks Down up to $731M in GPCR Pact with Sosei
Lilly digs deeper into metabolic diseases via GPCR partnership with Sosei.
December 16, 2022
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Business
In Second Pipeline Pivot, Axcella Axes 85% of Staff
In a strategic reorganization announced Thursday, Axcella Therapeutics will focus its resources on its Long COVID program and slash headcount by 85%.
December 15, 2022
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Policy
FDA Adcomm Votes Against Cytokinetics’ Heart Failure Drug
The FDA’s Cardiovascular and Renal Drugs Advisory Committee stood against Cytokinetics, Inc., finding that the benefits of its heart failure hopeful didn’t outweigh its risks.
December 14, 2022
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Courtesy of Beigene
Drug Development
BeiGene’s Brukinsa Outshines Janssen’s Imbruvica in Comparison Trial
In a comparison trial, BeiGene’s Brukinsa bested Janssen’s Imbruvica in patients with relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic leukemia (SLL).
December 14, 2022
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3 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
Drug Development
Moderna and Merck’s mRNA Cancer Vaccine Aces Advanced Melanoma Study (Updated)
An investigational mRNA cancer vaccine developed by Moderna and Merck reached its primary efficacy endpoint, inducing a clinically meaningful improvement in recurrence-free survival.
December 13, 2022
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Onivyde failed in the trial of late-stage small ce
FDA
Mirati Challenges Amgen in KRAS Space with FDA Accelerated Approval
Mirati gets the green light from the FDA for its KRAS G12C-mutated lung cancer medication.
December 13, 2022
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Chris Hondros/Getty Images
Deals
Merck Officially Commences $1.36B Imago Buyout
Merck initiated a tender offer Monday to buy all outstanding shares of Imago Biosciences. This follows the November announcement of the buyout.
December 12, 2022
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Courtesy Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Deals
Amgen to Buy Horizon in Biotech’s Biggest Deal of 2022
Amgen confirmed Monday it will acquire rare disease giant Horizon Therapeutics for $26.4 billion.
December 12, 2022
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
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