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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.

Pictured: Entrance to the U.S. Department of Healt
Government
Appeals Court Stops Rehiring of Fired Federal Workers, Including From HHS
The Fourth Circuit’s ruling follows a Supreme Court verdict that also allowed the Trump administration to move forward with its mass layoffs at federal agencies.
April 10, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Stack of coins balancing on seesaw over a bottle of pills.
Tariffs
Trump Says ‘Major’ Pharma Tariffs Coming ‘Very Shortly’ After Sparing Industry on Liberation Day
Analysts suggested that the tariffs will have little effect on reshoring manufacturing and will likely decrease patient drug access and increase costs.
April 9, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
USA and China trade war. US of America and chinese flags crashed containers on sky at sunset background. 3d illustration
China
Amid Trade Tensions, Commission Warns China is ‘Dangerously Close’ to Overtaking US Biotech
The National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology recommends at least a $15 billion investment into biotech over the next five years.
April 9, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: BMS sign on a building in San Diego, California/iStock, JHVEPhoto
Legal
BMS Scores Two on Tuesday With Colorectal Cancer Approval, Court Win
The FDA approved the use of Opdivo with Yervoy in front-line colorectal cancer, while a Manhattan court junked a class action complaint over the blood cancer drug Pomalyst.
April 9, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Lawyer legal documents. Businessman and legal documents with judgment hammer symbol. vector
Legal
Jazz Settles for $145M in Anti-Trust Suits Centering on Xyrem Generics
Jazz is being accused of anti-competitive practices regarding its narcolepsy drug, as generic competitors emerge on the market.
April 9, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Two boxing gloves give a fist bump on a colored background. Collage art
Business
Five Biggest Drug Face-Offs in Pharma History
Wegovy and Zepbound are just the latest drug dyads to face-off in the competitive pharma market, continuing a legacy of rivalry that includes blockbuster drugs Keytruda, Humira and Eliquis.
April 9, 2025
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9 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Crowdfunding concept with money icon and human hands in retro 80s collage mixed media vector illustration. Idea for financing business project, funding, philanthropy, cooperation, bank credit and startup development.
Funding
Merida Enters Autoimmune and Allergy Arena With $121M Series A
Merida is working on a selective therapy for Graves’ disease, leveraging targeted therapies that can deplete disease-causing autoantibodies.
April 8, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Sign of U.S. Department of Health & Huma
Government
HHS Leaves Door Open to Future Medicare Coverage of Obesity Drugs
Last week, The Trump administration reversed a Biden-era proposal for Medicare coverage of anti-obesity treatments. But on Monday, HHS suggested it is open to future policy considerations toward this end.
April 8, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Human heart. Inner organs disease treatment. Modern design concept with tiny doctor character, medical drugs, equipment, analysis. Vector Illustration
Gene therapy
Lexeo Plots Pivotal Path for Friedreich’s Ataxia Gene Therapy After ‘Compelling’ Phase I/II Data
Stifel analysts said that Lexeo’s data showing reduced size and thickness of the heart’s left ventricle are “supportive of a drug effect” for the company’s gene therapy in Friedreich’s ataxia cardiomyopathy.
April 8, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Modern collage with halftone hands give and take money. Financial transaction. Money investments. Cash payment. Pay for something
Neuroscience
GSK Dives Deeper Into Neuro With $2.5B+ ABL Bio Pact
GSK is paying to access ABL Bio’s Grabody-B platform, which potentially enables therapies to cross the blood-brain barrier.
April 7, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
President Donald Trump delivers remarks at the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., Friday, March 14, 2025. (Official White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian)
Obesity
Trump Scraps Biden’s Proposed Medicare Coverage for Obesity Drugs
Under Friday’s final ruling anti-obesity medications for weight-loss will remain ineligible for Medicare coverage.
April 7, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Robert F Kennedy Jr speaking at the White House
Government
Kennedy Changes Tune on MMR Vaccine as Second Child Dies of Measles
Kennedy, a long-time opponent of vaccines, stated that the MMR vaccine is “the most effective way” to combat the measles outbreak, which has already claimed the lives of two children in the U.S.
April 7, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Tired girl, exhausted of study vector illustration. Cartoon young woman sleeping next to books, sleepy girl student character sitting at table, studying hard before exam at home interior background
Neuroscience
Centessa’s Narcolepsy Drug Shows ‘Compelling’ Effect in Early Study
Analysts at BMO Capital Markets said Centessa’s orexin receptor agonist has “best-in-class” potential for narcolepsy, putting the company in a strong position in the $15 billion market.
April 7, 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.
Immunology and inflammation
Aldeyra Shares Crash as Dry Eye Drug Gets Second Rejection from FDA
The FDA has asked for another well-controlled trial to establish the efficacy of reproxalap in dry eye disease.
April 4, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Creative photo poster picture collage collapsing dollar banknote arm holding cash money bankrupt decrease income funds loss.
Government
FDA Faces ‘Catastrophic Collapse’ as Massive Layoffs Endanger User Fee Program
The FDA derives just under half of its yearly funding from pharma user fees, which help support its operations and fund employee salaries. An analysis from AgencyIQ suggests that the agency is dangerously close to losing it all.
April 4, 2025
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3 min read
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Tristan Manalac
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