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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.

Weigh scales on pink background, top view with space for text. Overweight concept
Obesity
UK Pharmacies Regulator Wants Tighter Checks on Weight Loss Injections
Amid growing concern of the overuse and misuse of obesity drugs, the UK’s pharmacies regulator rolled out stricter guidelines for online pharmacies selling medicines including Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy and Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro.
February 4, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Sign in front of Pfizer in Quebec, Canada
Cancer
Pfizer Sees Path to Braftovi’s Full Approval With Phase III CRC Data
Topline data on a combo including Pfizer’s kinase inhibitor Braftovi point to improved progression-free survival and pave the way for its full approval for the treatment of certain colorectal cancers, according to the company.
February 3, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Government
Trump’s Tariffs Threaten Big Pharma With Higher Costs and Slimmer Margins
J&J, AstraZeneca, Novo Nordisk and Roche are among the companies that might take a hit from the soon-to-be-enacted fees, according to analysts.
February 3, 2025
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3 min read
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Tristan Manalac
A scientist with pill bottles in front of FDA headquarters
Regulatory
FDA Action Alert: GSK, Indivior, SpringWorks, More
The rare disease space is awaiting two FDA verdicts in February, one for a genetic disease and another for a non-malignant tumor.
February 3, 2025
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5 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Profile view, and Mental Illness
Approvals
Axsome’s Migraine Medicine Clears FDA Bar
The approval of Axsome Therapeutics’ Symbravo for migraine with or without aura came alongside the greenlight for Vertex’s non-opioid treatment Journavx.
January 31, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Novartis head office building in Dorval, Quebec, Canada
Earnings
Novartis Eyes More Bolt-On Deals in 2025 as Q4 Earnings Easily Beat Consensus
Novartis was among the most prolific pharma dealmakers in 2024, a trend that it expects to continue with more bolt-on deals this year to set up for sustainable long-term growth.
January 31, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Government
RFK Jr. Again Faces Scrutiny Over Vaccines on Day 2 of Confirmation Hearing
Senators on the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee were critical of Kennedy’s long history as an anti-vaccine campaigner.
January 31, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
A piggy bank crammed with $100 bills on a background of American cash
Venture capitalists
Blackstone Launches New $5B+ Fund for Life Sciences
Blackstone joins other big investors such as ARCH Venture Partners and Bain Capital Life Sciences in pumping billions of dollars into the industry.
January 31, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Roche's signage at its office in France
Earnings
Roche to Stay ‘Disciplined’ With Deals in 2025
For 2025, Roche will continue a careful approach to high-priced deals, putting science at the center of its business development decisions, executives said Thursday.
January 30, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
cutting off a row of people into pieces
Layoffs
Ironwood Chops Half of Staff as 2025 Guidance Disappoints
The layoffs will allow Ironwood to dedicate more resources to pushing its lead molecule apraglutide through a Phase III trial and a rolling NDA submission.
January 30, 2025
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1 min read
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Tristan Manalac
South side and Dome of the US Capitol in Washington DC, United States
Government
At Confirmation Hearing, RFK Jr. Downplays Anti-Vax Concerns
Kennedy’s confirmation hearing on Wednesday became heated as Democratic senators grilled the nominee for HHS Secretary on his previous statements about vaccine safety.
January 30, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Businessman jump careful on cracked or broken graph. Job opportunity and career. concept of under pressure. risk, financial, and tax
Neurodegenerative disease
Inhibikase Scraps Parkinson’s Drug After Disappointing Mid-Stage Data
Inhibikase’s setback continues biopharma’s losing streak against Parkinson’s, marked by several clinical failures and abandoned assets in recent months.
January 30, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Novo Nordisk's logo on the facade of its building in Germany
Approvals
Novo Expands GLP-1 Dominance With Ozempic Nod for Kidney Disease
The approval continues the trend of GLP-1s expanding into indications outside of diabetes and weight loss.
January 29, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Eli Lilly's biotechnology center in California
Pipeline
Lilly Cuts Mid-stage Relaxin Study in Chronic Kidney Disease for ‘Lack of Foreseeable Clinical Benefit’
The discontinuation comes after the investigational drug, volenrelaxin, failed a related heart failure study in an overlapping patient population.
January 29, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Corporate headquarters of Novo Nordisk in Denmark
IRA
With Wegovy, Ozempic on the Line, Novo Asks Court to Speed Up IRA Complaint
The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has named Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy, Ozempic and Rybelsus as part of the second round of the IRA drug price negotiation program, even as the pharma challenges the program.
January 29, 2025
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1 min read
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Tristan Manalac
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