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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.

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
Government
Medical Journal Refuses to Retract Vaccine Study Despite RFK Jr.’s Criticism
The Annals of Internal Medicine ran a large-scale study in July, pointing to the lack of an association between childhood aluminum exposure through vaccination and chronic conditions. The Health Secretary, in an opinion piece earlier this month, called the paper a “ballyhooed study.”
August 12, 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.
Lung cancer
140-Year-Old Boehringer Ingelheim Dives Into Cancer With NSCLC Nod
Phase Ib data show Hernexeos can elicit a confirmed objective response rate of 44% in patients with HER2-mutated NSCLC who had previously been treated with a directed antibody-drug conjugate.
August 11, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. makes remarks at an event announcing the MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) Commission, Thursday, May 22, 2025, in the East Room of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian)
Government
Head MAHA Implementor Fired After RFK Jr.’s mRNA Purge
Gray Delany’s ouster comes days after Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. controversially axed 22 mRNA vaccine contracts under the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority.
August 11, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Individuality, Unique, Unswerving, Steady. Green correct check mark among many red wrong or cross icon on wooden circle for true or false changing mindset. Not changing or becoming weaker.
Gene therapy
FDA Restricts Patient Pool for Bluebird’s Skysona Amid Safety Concerns
Skysona can now only be used in patients with cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy who have no available treatment alternatives or stem cell donors.
August 11, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
GLP-1 injector pens and pills against colorful background
Obesity
5 Oral Obesity Drugs Challenging Lilly’s Orforglipron
Here are five oral obesity candidates that, according to Mizuho’s Graig Suvannavejh, could change the weight loss game.
August 11, 2025
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10 min read
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Tristan Manalac
A scientist with pill bottles in front of FDA headquarters
FDA
FDA Action Alert: Biogen/Eisai, Sanofi, Ionis and More
Arguably the FDA’s most anticipated decision this month is for a subcutaneous induction formulation of Biogen and Eisai’s Alzheimer’s drug Leqembi, which, according to Eisai, could “help reduce the burden on healthcare professionals and patients.”
August 11, 2025
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5 min read
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Tristan Manalac
medical laboratory equipment. robotic drug packaging.
Manufacturing
FDA Launches New PreCheck Program to Lower Regulatory Barriers to Pharma Manufacturing
Under PreCheck, the FDA will communicate more frequently with pharmaceutical companies, helping them as they establish or expand manufacturing sites in the U.S.
August 8, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Company downsizing, staff reduction and layoffs. Employee dismissal, firing and unemployment. Business concept.
Layoffs
Dewpoint Slashes Headcount by 70% as Cash Runway Runs Out
In December 2024, Dewpoint Therapeutics CEO Ameet Nathwani said the biotech’s cash runway would last until the third quarter of 2025.
August 8, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Gilead's headquarters in Silicon Valley
Earnings
Gilead Confident in PrEP Franchise Even Amid Preventive Task Force Uncertainties
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force makes recommendations for preventive services—including Gilead’s twice-yearly HIV PrEP Yeztugo—that insurers must cover. A recently postponed meeting has raised concerns that Health Secretary RFK Jr. could abolish or overhaul the group.
August 8, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
A contemporary art collage depicting a giant ear listening to a message bubble while covering it with a hand. The concept of taking in a useful experience or overhearing a new idea.
Mergers & acquisitions
Novartis Continues Hunt for New Assets With Rumored Takeover of RNA Specialist Avidity
There is no certainty that the buyout will come to pass, according to The Financial Times, which first reported the rumors.
August 7, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Contemporary art collage. Purple hand holding fan of dollar bills against bright yellow background. stock photo
Cancer
Big Pharma-Backed mRNA Startup Bags $153M Series B Amid Policy Headwinds
Strand Therapeutics’ lead asset is STX-001, an intra-tumor self-replicating mRNA therapy that carries a payload expressing the immunomodulatory protein IL-12.
August 7, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Courtesy of Sarepta Therapeutics
Earnings
Despite Safety Drama, Sarepta Beats Q2 Estimates—But No Thanks to Elevidys Sales
Sarepta did not hold an investor call for its second-quarter earnings report or provide an updated full-year revenue outlook.
August 7, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
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