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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: BioMarin headquarters in California/iSto
Earnings
BioMarin Surpasses Analysts’ Q3 Sales Estimates Despite Voxzogo’s Slight Miss
The biotech beat Wall Street’s third-quarter revenue forecast by 6%, driven by increased uptake of its achondroplasia drug Voxzogo. However, William Blair downgraded BioMarin’s shares to market perform due to a “lack of near-term catalysts” and uncertainty around Voxzogo’s potential revenue growth.
October 30, 2024
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Tristan Manalac
Novartis' office building in Marburg, Germany
Approvals
Novartis Secures First-Line CML Expansion for Scemblix, Projects $3B in Peak Sales
Scemblix was granted accelerated approval by the FDA for the treatment of certain patients newly diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia. The expanded indication increases the eligible patient population by approximately four times, according to Novartis.
October 30, 2024
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: An Eli Lilly Research Laboratories sign/
Alzheimer’s disease
Lilly Lowers Brain Swelling With Modified Dosing of Alzheimer’s Drug Kisunla
Approved by the FDA in July to treat adults with early symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease, Eli Lilly’s Kisunla reduced the brain swelling of patients in a late-stage trial following an adjusted dosing regimen.
October 30, 2024
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Tristan Manalac
External view of Novartis' office in Canada
Earnings
Novartis Gets Q3 Beat on Strong Cosentyx Sales, But Pluvicto Disappoints
Novartis exceeded analyst expectations in the third quarter, driven primarily by the strong U.S. sales of Cosentyx, as well as the robust performances of Kesimpta and Kisqali.
October 29, 2024
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Tristan Manalac
U.S. and Chinese flags in concrete, broken in the middle
Earnings
WuXi AppTec Remains Resilient Amid Threat from BIOSECURE Act, Continues to Attract New Clients
As the Chinese contract manufacturer awaits the U.S. Senate’s consideration of the BIOSECURE Act, it has added 800 new customers in the first nine months of 2024, while being hit with a 2% revenue decline in the third quarter.
October 29, 2024
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Tristan Manalac
2D illustration of the gut with microorganisms
Inflammatory bowel disease
Lilly and J&J Face Off in Crohn’s Disease With Phase III Readouts at ACG 2024
Eli Lilly and Johnson & Johnson are seeking label expansions for Omvoh and Tremfya, respectively, in Crohn’s disease following approvals for ulcerative colitis. GlobalData projects total sales for Tremfya to reach $7.8 billion globally by 2029.
October 29, 2024
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Novartis' logo outside its building in S
Collaboration
Novartis Inks Potential $2.2B Molecular Glue Deal With Monte Rosa
The Swiss pharma is paying $150 million upfront to gain rights to Monte Rosa’s VAV1-targeting molecular glue degraders, led by a Phase I candidate which holds therapeutic promise for immune-mediated diseases.
October 28, 2024
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Tristan Manalac
3D Illustration of a pancreas with tumors
Pancreatic cancer
Revolution Medicines Targets Hard-to-Treat Pancreatic Cancer With Two Early-Phase Readouts
Jefferies analyst Kelly Shi in a Sunday note to investors said that both data drops for Revolution Medicines’ experimental RAS inhibitors are positive and could be “synergistic” in the first-line setting for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
October 28, 2024
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Tristan Manalac
FDA signage at its headquarters in Maryland
Approvals
Iterum Wins FDA Approval For Oral UTI Antibiotic, Seeks ‘Strategic Transaction’ for Asset
Orlynvah is the first oral penem approved in the U.S. and Iterum Therapeutics’ first FDA-approved product. CEO Corey Fishman said the company will renew its efforts to look for a potential partner to maximize value for its stakeholders.
October 28, 2024
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Tristan Manalac
2D illustration of kidneys
IgA nephropathy
Biogen, Vertex Heat Up IgAN Arena With Mid-Stage Readouts at ASN 2024
William Blair analyst Myles Minter in a Monday note to investors said that Vertex’s povetacicept “has maintained its potential to be a best-in-class asset” in the IgA nephropathy space and could become a “multibillion-dollar pipeline-in-a-drug product” for autoimmune disorders, while “outstanding questions” remain for Biogen’s felzartamab before moving into pivotal studies.
October 28, 2024
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Tristan Manalac
Sanofi's Distribution Center in Quebec, Canada
Earnings
Sanofi Beats Q3 Forecasts Fueled by 381% Growth in Beyfortus Sales
The French drugmaker’s newly launched respiratory syncytial virus antibody Beyfortus far exceeded analyst expectations, bringing in almost $700 million in the third quarter. Leerink Partners analyst David Risinger in a Friday note to investors said Sanofi expects Q4 Beyfortus sales similar to Q3.
October 25, 2024
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Tristan Manalac
Exterior view of the headquarters of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia
Vaccines
CDC Reaffirm RSV Vaccination Guidelines, Declines Expanding Coverage to Younger Adults
The CDC’s vaccine advisors on Thursday maintained that respiratory syncytial virus immunization is only recommended for adults aged 75 and older, and in seniors 60 to 74 years who are at risk of severe disease.
October 25, 2024
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: 3D concept art showing a bladder surrounded by cancer cells
Bladder cancer
Tyra Looks to Challenge J&J’s Balversa With Early Data for FGFR3 Blocker in Urothelial Carcinoma
Bank of America analysts said prior to Thursday’s readout that Tyra Biosciences’ TYRA-300 could rival Johnson & Johnson’s kinase inhibitor Balversa, which has suffered from safety concerns and poor tolerability.
October 25, 2024
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Tristan Manalac
2D illustration showing scientists' hands editing a DNA strand
Rare diseases
Intellia’s CRISPR Gene Editor Cuts Hereditary Angioedema Attacks by 81% in Phase II Study
Jefferies analyst Maury Raycroft said in a note to investors that Thursday’s mid-stage readout pointed to the “unprecedented” complete response rate of Intellia’s investigational in vivo gene editing therapy in the disorder.
October 25, 2024
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Roche Diagnostics building in California
Gene therapy
Roche Inks Potential $1B Gene Therapy Deal With Dyno, Eyes Neurological Diseases
With an upfront payment of $50 million from Roche, the partnership will leverage Dyno Therapeutics’ in vivo gene therapy delivery technology, which synthesizes virus capsids with better functionality and manufacturability.
October 24, 2024
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Tristan Manalac
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