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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.

Gilead's headquarters in Silicon Valley
Earnings
Gilead To Stay ‘Proactive And Disciplined’ With Deals But M&A Not Urgent Priority
With 10 launches planned in the coming quarters, Gilead isn’t feeling the same acquisition urgency as its pharma peers—though the prospect of a takeover isn’t off the table.
February 11, 2026
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Close-up of back skin with urticaria
Immunology and inflammation
Nektar’s Rezpeg Differentiates in Atopic Dermatitis With Durable, Deep Responses in Mid-Stage
The percentage of patients achieving total clearance of eczema lesions in a Phase 2b trial increased with prolonged rezpeg treatment.
February 11, 2026
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Syringe and a vial above the map of the USA. Illustration of the concept of the vaccination and immunization in the United States
Vaccines
FDA Refuses To Review Moderna’s mRNA Flu Vaccine, Claims Trial Inadequacies
After receiving a letter directly from CBER Director Vinay Prasad, Moderna said the FDA had previously signed off on the use of a licensed flu vaccine as a comparator for a Phase 3 study of mRNA-1010.
February 11, 2026
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4 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Yellow warning sign symbol or alert safety danger caution illustration icon security message and exclamation triangle information icon on attention traffic background with secure alarm. 3D render.
Regulatory
Hims & Hers’ Woes Compound as FDA Hits Company With Warning Letter
The agency flagged several violations at a compounding pharmacy owned by Hims & Hers, including “infestation by rodents, birds insects, and other vermin.”
February 10, 2026
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Businessman holding a dart aiming at the target - business targeting, aiming, focus concept. Art collage.
Obesity
Kailera, Hengrui Push Oral GLP-1/GIP Pill to Phase 3 After Clearing Mid-Stage China Study
Kailera will launch a global Phase 2 study of ribupatide this year, while Hengrui will push the asset into Phase 3 in China.
February 10, 2026
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1 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Stagflation, economic slow down or recession while inflation high up, GDP growth decrease causing by unemployment concept, fearful businessman riding fall down economic graph with inflation high up.
Complete response letters
REGENXBIO’s Hunter Syndrome Gene Therapy Fails To Win FDA Nod
The FDA recommended that REGENXBIO run a new study, treat more patients and include a placebo arm to support a resubmission for the gene therapy RGX-121.
February 10, 2026
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Focus on the path, Businessman running on his own track
Earnings
AstraZeneca Teases ‘Very Competitive’ Weight-Loss Pill—But Stays Mum on Details
AstraZeneca will push the pill, elecoglipron, into a comprehensive late-stage program that will test the drug as a monotherapy, as part of a combination regimen and for several indications.
February 10, 2026
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Legal and law concept illustration stock illustration
GLP-1
Novo Sues Hims & Hers Over Compounded Version of Oral Wegovy Pill
Novo Nordisk has sued Hims for allegedly violating patents protecting semaglutide, seeking potentially “hundreds of millions” in damages, John Kuckelman, the pharma’s general counsel, said. The wellness platform pulled its version of the drug just days after launching it.
February 9, 2026
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Red round circle with a pause button or icon against yellow background.
Gene therapy
Liver Toxicities Force Pause on Two Dose Groups of UniQure’s Mid-Stage Fabry Study
The gene therapy uses an AAV vector to restore healthy levels of the alpha-galactosidase enzyme, which is rendered dysfunctional in patients with Fabry disease, leading to the toxic build-up of lipids in cells.
February 9, 2026
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1 min read
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Tristan Manalac
A contemporary artistic collage featuring a hand holding a trophy. The concept of victory and achievement.
Gene therapy
Ultragenyx’s Gene Therapy Shows Long-Term Efficacy in Two Sanfilippo Studies
The FDA in July last year declined to approve UX111 for Sanfilippo syndrome, a rare neurodegenerative disorder, citing manufacturing issues. Ultragenyx resubmitted its application ten days ago, expecting a six month review time.
February 9, 2026
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
IPO Initial Public Offering finance business concept. 3D render vector illustration of Trading on IPO Initial Public Offering, Business Startup and Stock Market Concept. Public offering share launch
IPO
Eikon Clocks Largest IPO Since 2024, Generate, AgomAb Follow
Analysts are cautiously optimistic about an IPO rebound for biopharma. BioSpace is keeping track of companies that seek to trade on the public markets this year.
February 6, 2026
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5 min read
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Tristan Manalac
A contemporary artistic collage featuring a hand holding a trophy. The concept of victory and achievement.
Immunology and inflammation
Priovant Plots Path to Phase 3 as Brepocitinib Clears Mid-Stage Skin Disease Study
According to Priovant, the Phase 2 BEACON study is the first industry-sponsored placebo-controlled trial in cutaneous sarcoidosis to deliver positive data.
February 6, 2026
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary delivers remarks after President Donald Trump made an announcement on drug pricing, Tuesday, September 30, 2025, in the Oval Office. (Official White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian)
GLP-1
Makary Blasts ‘Illegal Copycat Drugs’ as Hims Launches Compounded Wegovy Pill
Novo Nordisk has also spoken out strongly against Hims & Hers’ compounded Wegovy pill, with CEO Maziar Mike Doustdar telling investors the knockoff version is a waste of money.
February 6, 2026
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1 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Set of crumpled lumps of different paper isolated on yellow background. Gritty dusty dotted effect, vector elements with jagged edges, old notebook sheets.
Pipeline
Novartis Cuts 6 Early Cancer Candidates, Adds 2 to Refine Oncology Strategy
Despite the Phase 1 cull, CEO Vas Narasimhan on Wednesday maintained that Novartis continues to invest in its early-stage pipeline, looking for deals in the “sub-$2-billion range.”
February 5, 2026
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Female Project Manager running work on project timeline. Progress in business, Work process or work process, Timeline to success, Roadmap, Vector design illustration.
Business
Stem Cell Specialist PrimeGen Takes SPAC Track to Nasdaq
The SPAC agreement values PrimeGen US at $1.5 billion in equity and gives it capital to advance its pre-clinical triple-activated mesenchymal stem cell pipeline into the clinic.
February 5, 2026
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1 min read
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Tristan Manalac
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