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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.

Clarify to employees. Businessman leader is walking with flashlight. vector
FDA
FDA Provides Guidance To Prevent Returned Applications, Aid Patient-Focused Drug Development
In three draft guidance documents, the FDA has laid out pointers to help companies craft better drug development programs and drug applications.
October 24, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Accumulated problems, contradictions. Dead end, we need to go back. You cannot continue further. Complete impossibility to continue. Rejection of an idea. Hard sanctions. Fatal error.
CAR-T
Regeneron Cans 2seventy-Acquired CAR T Candidate for Lymphoma in ‘Strategic’ Move
The discontinued CAR T therapy bbT369 came to Regeneron when the pharma bought all of 2seventy bio’s pipeline assets for $5 million upfront in January 2024.
October 24, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Poznan, Poland - 5 October 2024: GSK -Glaxosmithkline headquarters office building in Poznan.
Approvals
GSK’s Blenrep Makes Comeback With FDA Nod for Third-Line Multiple Myeloma
The antibody-drug conjugate, withdrawn from the market by GSK in 2022 after failing a confirmatory study, was approved Thursday by the FDA for previously treated patients with multiple myeloma. This is despite a negative advisory committee vote in July.
October 24, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Roche's tower in Shanghai, China
Earnings
‘We’re Not Done’: Roche Plans To Sustain Dealmaking Pace After 89bio
Roche has already signed several high-ticket deals this year, including the $3.5 billion acquisition of 89bio and Genentech’s $2.1 billion molecular glue pact with Orionis Biosciences.
October 23, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Business and financial crisis vector concept with businessman falling down the hole. Symbol of market crash, recession, risk, bankruptcy and loss. Eps10 illustration.
Cystic fibrosis
Arcturus Plunges on ‘Mixed’ Cystic Fibrosis Data for Inhaled mRNA Drug
Despite showing no meaningful benefit on lung function, Arcturus’ mRNA therapy ARCT-032 reduced mucus volume in patients with cystic fibrosis—an outcome William Blair found “potentially promising.”
October 23, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Creative sketch collage of business people handshake gesture approval project development success colleagues cooperation support.
Mergers & acquisitions
Alkermes’ up to $2.1B Purchase of Avadel Sets Groundwork for ‘Strategic Evolution’
With Avadel under its fold, Alkermes expects to accelerate its expansion into the sleep market, laying the foundation for its late-stage narcolepsy asset alixorexton.
October 23, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Facade of Moderna's building in Massachusetts
Vaccines
Moderna Scraps CMV Vaccine After Phase III Fail
A key question for investors going forward will be whether Moderna’s other latent virus vaccines for Epstein-Barr and shingles can succeed after the failure of the CMV program.
October 23, 2025
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3 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Museum island on Spree river and Alexanderplatz TV tower in center of Berlin, Germany
Cancer
ADC, Bispecifics and Kinase Blockers Steal the Spotlight at ESMO 2025 in Berlin
Pfizer, Merck, AstraZeneca and Bristol Myers Squibb were among the many biopharmas showing off novel cancer modalities at ESMO, with antibody-drug conjugates, bispecific antibodies and kinase inhibitors demonstrating encouraging efficacy and safety for various cancers.
October 22, 2025
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4 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Deviation from the plan, path or norms. Choosing an alternative way, changing the plans and flexibility.
Obesity
Terns Turns Away From Obesity Pill After ‘Uncompetitive’ Phase II Profile
Two patients experienced grade 3 liver enzyme elevations that were deemed related to Terns’ investigational obesity pill TERN-601.
October 22, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA - 30 July 2024. Takeda Pharmaceutical Company logo on office building.Biotech industry
Antibody-drug conjugate (ADC)
Takeda Bets up to $11.4B for Up To Three Innovent Cancer Assets
For $1.2 billion upfront and up to $10.2 billion in milestones, Takeda will gain access to a bispecific antibody fusion protein targeting both the PD-1 and IL-2 pathways, among other assets.
October 22, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Human head with puzzle pieces and doodles vector illustration. Human brain lacking a piece of puzzle. Concept of brain function, memory loss, disorder, dementia. Abstract human head profile
Neuropsychiatric disorders
Alector Scraps Dementia Drug After Phase III Flop, Lays Off 49% of Staff
This represents Alector’s second failed neurodegenerative asset in a year, after an AbbVie-partnered asset missed in Alzheimer’s last November. On latozinemab for frontotemporal dementia, Alector was working with GSK, which fronted $700 million in 2021 to collaborate on two programs.
October 22, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Business people and concepts vector art exit
Cell therapy
Galapagos Exits Cell Therapy, Cuts 365 Employees
Galapagos at the start of the year had planned to split into two businesses, with one resulting entity focused on cell therapies. The biotech nixed these plans a few months later, instead choosing to put up for sale multiple cell therapy assets.
October 21, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Illustration showing businessman trying to create his own road
Cancer
Exelixis’ Kinase Blocker Sets ‘New Survival Bar’ in Third-Line Colorectal Cancer, Opening Road to FDA
With data from the Phase III STELLAR-303 study in the books, Exelixis is plotting a 2025 regulatory application for zanzalintinib.
October 21, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Hand holding a lung shape symbol against a blue background. World tuberculosis day, world no tobacco day, lung cancer, pulmonary hypertension, pneumonia
Lung cancer
Summit Eyes 2025 FDA Application for Ivonescimab Despite Overall Survival Miss
In May, Summit released early data from the Phase III HARMONi study showing that while the PD-1/VEGF inhibitor resulted in significant progression-free survival improvements, it fell short of the overall survival bar.
October 21, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
business graph chart finance stock market collage hand halftone trendy. vector illustration concept growth investment exchange currency money financial. technology digital background profit trade.
Metabolic disorders
Ascendis Skids as FDA Detects Death in Patient Formerly on Yorvipath
The death occurred in a patient who had a complex medical background and who was being managed with several drugs, according to RBC Capital.
October 21, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
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