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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.

3D Paper Cut Pair of Lung dotted with yellow tumor bacteria infection spread across on a blue background with no text. Yellow dots as virus infection in the lungs. Vector Illustration.
Lung cancer
Akeso, Summit’s PD-1/VEGF Blocker ‘Firmly’ Beats Expectations With Encouraging Survival Data
Ivonescimab’s progression-free survival data in non-small cell lung cancer bode well for an upcoming overall survival readout, according to Truist analysts, who noted that “OS is likely to be statistically significant” in favor of the PD-1/VEGF bispecific.
October 20, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Illustration showing hands holding arrow that goes up and down a few times and ends up in upward direction
Mergers & acquisitions
Rumors of Eli Lilly Buyout Send Nektar’s Shares Spiking
Several sources are speculating that the potential buyer could be Eli Lilly, despite the breakdown of the pharma’s partnership with Nektar over atopic dermatitis therapy rezpeg.
October 20, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
searching for the virus cure medical pills in pattern on vibrant background
Approvals
Novo Secures Cardiovascular Expansion for Semaglutide Pill
Rybelsus can now be used as a primary or secondary prevention pill to lower the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in at-risk patients with type 2 diabetes.
October 20, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Scanner on blue human eye
Rare diseases
Glaukos Notches FDA Nod for Rare Eye Disorder Keratoconus
Glaukos’ Epioxa allows cross-linking therapy for keratoconus without requiring an incision. The biotech expects to launch the drug early next year.
October 20, 2025
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1 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pleasanton, CA, USA - Feb 21, 2024: Exterior view of the headquarters of Roche Molecular Diagnostics (RMD) in Pleasanton, California. F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG is a Swiss pharmaceutical company.
Antibody-drug conjugate (ADC)
Roche Inks Another China ADC Pact With $1.5B Hansoh Bet
Roche will gain worldwide rights outside of the Greater China region to Hansoh’s HS-20110, an antibody-drug conjugate in early-stage development for colorectal cancer.
October 17, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Holds tickets in hand, isolated on white background. Vector flat. stock illustration
Regulatory
FDA Hands Out First Commissioner’s Priority Vouchers to Regeneron, Sanofi, Disc, Others
The Commissioner’s National Priority Voucher awards companies that align with specific national priorities—such as boosting domestic manufacturing and lowering drug prices—with faster reviews and more frequent interactions with the FDA.
October 17, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Creative collage illustration of financial business. Two businessmen shaking hands for partners agreement. Conceptual illustration of success deal, corporate ethic, connection.
Collaboration
Kite Makes $1.5B+ Cell Therapy Pact With Pregene as Others Pull Back
With more than $1.5 billion on the line, Gilead looks to bolster its CAR T portfolio.
October 17, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Health saving account, HSA, financial plan saving for medical expense or medicare cost and benefits concept, doctor with stethoscope standing with huge pink piggy bank or coin bank with medical sign.
Drug pricing
In Affordability Push, EMD Serono Joins TrumpRx While Roche Launches DTC Program
EMD Serono will offer its fertility treatments on TrumpRx at a steep discount, and Roche’s direct-to-consumer offering will cover its flu pill Xofluza.
October 17, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Gentilly, France, March 21, 2021: Exterior view of the Sanofi headquarters building. Sanofi is a French multinational company specializing in the health sector
Autoimmune disease
Sanofi Joins With EVOQ in $500M Autoimmune Alliance
The partners have yet to disclose what their priority indications are, though EVOQ’s NanoDisc technology aims to enable the development of potentially curative treatments for autoimmune conditions such as celiac disease and type 1 diabetes.
October 16, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Human resource management and recruitment concept. Job rotation or staff turnover icon.
Government
FDA’s Orphan Drug Director Out Amid IRA Exemption Rollout
An unnamed source clarified that Sandra Retzky has not been fired from the FDA, but it remains unclear where she was reassigned.
October 16, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
3D illustration of hair root growing from skin cells, symbolizing strength, growth, and nourishment. Perfect for haircare, cosmetic advertising, medical research, and healthcare concepts.
Funding
Veradermics Gets $150M Series C To Advance Hair Regrowth Pill
Veradermics is the second hair regrowth specialist to fundraise this week, after Pelage Pharmaceuticals announced Wednesday it had brought in $120 million for its own therapy.
October 16, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Group of paper boat in one direction and with one individual pointing in the different way. Business for innovative solution concept.3D rendering on blue background.
Gene therapy
Sarepta’s Not Done With Gene Therapy Yet as LGMD Asset Yields Promising Data
Despite announcing a broad pivot to siRNA earlier this year, Sarepta is following through with an investigational gene therapy: its limb-girdle muscular dystrophy candidate. But the treatment’s path forward, analysts say, is highly uncertain.
October 15, 2025
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6 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Reaching an agreement. Businessmen shake hands and make a deal. vector
Collaboration
Boehringer Ingelheim Bets up to Nearly $1B in ADC Play With AimedBio Deal
2025 has been a busy year for Boehringer Ingelheim, which has so far inked at least five hefty partnerships—including its latest one with South Korea’s AimedBio for an antibody-drug conjugate therapy for cancer.
October 15, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Bristol Myers Squibb office in California
ALS
BMS Deepens ALS Alliance With Insitro, Puts $2B+ On the Line
Bristol Myers Squibb and insitro first partnered in 2020 to develop induced pluripotent stem cell models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia. Last December, BMS exercised its option for an ALS target.
October 15, 2025
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1 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Creative poster collage of two business partners having deal financial payment giving money banknote isolated on beige color background.
Mergers & acquisitions
BioCryst Snaps Up Fellow Angiodema Player Astria for $700M
The acquisition will give BioCryst an investigational injectable drug for hereditary angioedema, potentially complementing its FDA-approved oral drug Orladeyo.
October 15, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
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