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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.

Banner. Contemporary art collage. Charity or alms. Person handing single coin to another person. Grainy fabric effect. Concept of business, financial literacy, debts, banking, salary. Ad
Series B
Adcendo Rides ADC Wave With $135M Series B
Adcendo joins a growing group of biotechs working to usher the next generation of antibody-drug conjugates to the market.
November 25, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Front view of the CDC museum in Georgia
Government
Trump Picks Vaccine Critic Weldon to Lead CDC, Makary for FDA Head
Career conservative and former congressman Dave Weldon will, if confirmed, act as director of the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, where his anti-vaccine views will mesh with those of selected Department of Health and Human Services head Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
November 25, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
A scientist with pill bottles in front of FDA headquarters
Regulatory
FDA Action Alert: Applied Therapeutics Awaits Verdict on Rare Disease Therapy
With two decisions originally scheduled for this week already announced, including BridgeBio’s approval in ATTR-CM, the regulator has just one PDUFA on its plate this holiday week.
November 25, 2024
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1 min read
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Tristan Manalac
MRI scans of a human brain
Postmarket research
Merck’s Former Asthma Blockbuster Singulair Could Be Linked to Mental Health Problems: Reuters
A Reuters report on Friday revealed that FDA researchers have found additional molecular evidence tying blockbuster asthma therapy montelukast to adverse neuropsychiatric effects.
November 22, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Contemporary art collage of hand holding an arrow showing fall. Modern design. Copy space.
Gene therapy
Patient Death in Rett Syndrome Trial Forces Neurogene to Drop High-Dose Arm
Despite the death, the FDA has allowed Neurogene to forge ahead with the Phase I/II Rett syndrome trial, but using only the lower 1E15 vg dose of its investigational gene therapy NGN-401.
November 22, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: AstraZeneca's manufacturing facility in Sweden
Adcomms
AstraZeneca Fends Off Adcomm’s Safety Concerns on Andexxa, Axes Mid-Stage Opioid Use Disorder Drug
The pharma is seeking full approval for its anticoagulation reversal drug Andexxa, which the FDA granted accelerated approval in 2018 for patients who had been treated with apixaban or rivaroxaban.
November 22, 2024
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3 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Novartis' office building in Marburg, Germany
Mergers & acquisitions
Novartis Buys Kate Therapeutics, Eyeing $55B CGT Market Opportunity by 2030
Novartis’ up to $1.1 billion acquisition of gene therapy specialist Kate Therapeutics fits with the pharma’s plan to expand its new modality pipeline to ensure long-term business sustainability.
November 21, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Eli Lilly's headquarters in Indianapolis
GLP-1
Lilly Partners With Chinese Biotech to Advance Muscle-Sparing Obesity Treatment
Eli Lilly will provide the funding and expertise to advance Laekna’s LAE102, a first-in-class monoclonal antibody targeting the activin type IIA receptor to induce weight loss and boost muscle mass.
November 21, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Poster. Contemporary art collage. Blue and yellow hands peeking out of black holes in space to make a deal. Abstract vibrant artwork. Concept of pop art, positive emotions. Minimal art design.
Cancer
Kura Signs Leukemia Pact with Kyowa Kirin After Losing Race to Syndax
The agreement will give Kura enough capital to support the development and launch of its menin inhibitor ziftomenib.
November 21, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Marty Makary speaks on a panel at the New America Foundation
Government
COVID-19 Critic Marty Makary Is Trump’s Likely Pick for FDA Top Post
Makary is a pancreatic surgeon at Johns Hopkins who became known for battling medical mistakes and in recent years has been an outspoken critic of COVID-19 policies.
November 21, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
broken human head conceptual digital illustration
Huntington’s disease
Sage Scraps Huntington’s Hopeful After Disappointing Phase II Data
After previously failing studies in Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, dalzanemdor’s latest stumble in Huntington’s disease has pushed Sage Therapeutics to pull the plug on the NMDA receptor modulator.
November 20, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Human liver protection. Wireframe low poly style. Concept for medical, pharmacology, treatment of the hepatitis. Abstract modern 3d vector illustration on dark blue background.
MASH
Novo, Viking Heat Up MASH Space with Promising Data at AASLD24
Readouts from Novo Nordisk and Viking Therapeutics at AASLD 2024 strengthen the argument for GLP-1 therapies as an emerging backbone of MASH treatment, with the potential to combine it with other drug classes to achieve deeper responses, according to BMO Capital Markets analyst Evan Seigerman.
November 20, 2024
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3 min read
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Tristan Manalac
TV host Dr. Mehmet Oz speaking at a Senate hearing
Government
Trump to Appoint Celebrity Physician Dr. Oz to Head CMS
The selection of controversial TV personality Mehmet Oz to run the agency overseeing Medicare and Medicaid follows Trump’s pick of RFK Jr. to run its parent department, HHS.
November 20, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Biogen’s headquarters in Massachusetts
Immunology and inflammation
Biogen, UCB Reveal Details Behind Surprise Late-Stage Win in Lupus, Eye Second Phase III
After the unexpected success of their PHOENYCS GO study for dapirolizumab pegol in lupus earlier this fall, Biogen and UCB are planning a second late-stage trial by the end of the year to support a drug application.
November 19, 2024
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3 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Colorful DNA molecule. Structure of the genetic code. Genetic Syndrome and Genetic Disorder, 3D illustration of science concept.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Regenxbio Gears Up to Challenge Sarepta in DMD as Gene Therapy Advances to Pivotal Studies
Regenxbio is pushing its Duchenne muscular dystrophy gene therapy into pivotal development, with a BLA planned for 2026—potentially posing a threat to Sarepta’s Elevidys.
November 19, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
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