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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.

AbbVie's office in South San Francisco, California
Business
AbbVie, Gilgamesh Sign Potential $2B Deal to Develop Neuroplastogens for Psychiatric Disorders
With Monday’s agreement, AbbVie joins the industry’s growing interest in next-generation psychiatric therapies and looks to leverage Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals’ research platform to discover novel neuroplastogens.
May 14, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Ultrasound machine showing a heart scan
Drug Development
Cytokinetics’ Phase III Data Sets Up Cardiomyopathy Challenge to BMS
Cytokinetics released data Monday on aficamten, an oral small molecule inhibitor of cardiac myosin, showing it significantly boosted exercise capacity in patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
May 14, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Novo Nordisk's corporate headquarters in Denmark
Drug Development
Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy Sustains Weight Loss for Four Years in Two Studies
Presented at this week’s European Congress on Obesity, the two studies also demonstrate that Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy (semaglutide) provides cardiovascular benefits irrespective of starting weight and the amount of weight lost.
May 14, 2024
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3 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: French flag in front of a historical building
Policy
Sanofi, Pfizer, AstraZeneca Pledge Nearly $2.16B in Total Investments in France
The major biopharma players have promised to increase their investments in France to help boost their respective global manufacturing and R&D capabilities, with Sanofi committing more than $1 billion.
May 13, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: 3D illustration of the CRISPR-Cas9 system editing a stretch of DNA
Drug Development
Excision’s CRISPR-Based HIV Treatment Fails to Show Curative Potential in Early Study
Results from a Phase I study presented Friday at the ASGCT 2024 annual meeting showed that despite a good safety profile, Excision BioTherapeutics’ HIV gene editor failed to suppress viral activity.
May 13, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
U.S. and Chinese flags in concrete, broken in the middle
Policy
BIOSECURE Act Gets Update, Gives US Drugmakers Until 2032 to Sever Ties with Chinese Biotechs
An updated draft of the BIOSECURE Act introduced on Friday would give U.S. drug manufacturers additional leeway for existing contracts with certain Chinese “companies of concern” until 2032.
May 13, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: 3D illustration of antibody-drug conjugates with their toxic payloads
Drug Development
Five Deaths in Prostate Cancer Trial Send MacroGenics’ Stock Plummeting
Two of the five fatalities were found to be unrelated to MacroGenics’ investigational antibody-drug conjugate vobra duo, while the other three are still under investigation.
May 10, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Hand holding an inhaler
Policy
Verona Secures Up To $650M in Funding as it Gears Up for Potential COPD Approval and Launch
Anticipating approval for its COPD therapy ensifentrine, Verona has entered into a $650 million financing deal with Oaktree Capital Management and OMERS Life Sciences.
May 10, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Businessmen shaking hands after closing a deal
Business
Royalty Pharma Drops $525M for Royalties and Milestones on Sanofi-Licensed MS Therapy
With its $525 million investment, Royalty Pharma will acquire the royalties and milestones for ImmuNext’s anti-CD40 therapy frexalimab, which is currently in Phase III trials for multiple sclerosis.
May 10, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: bluebird bio logo on wall/device, courtesy of Pavlo Gonchar
Business
Bluebird Boasts Nearly 140% Revenue Jump, Still Misses Target
With 15 patients started across its three gene therapies, bluebird bio claims a 138% year-over-year revenue growth and aims to initiate up to around 100 new patients in the current year.
May 10, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Novo Nordisk's corporate headquarters in Denmark
Business
Novo Inks $600M Deal With Metaphore to Develop Next-Gen Obesity Drugs
As competition with Eli Lilly heats up, Novo Nordisk has partnered with Flagship’s Metaphore Biotechnologies to take a biomimicry approach to GLP-1s.
May 9, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: 3D illustration of stem cells used for cell therapy
Drug Development
Lisata’s Autologous T Cell Therapy Is Safe but Fails to Slow T1D Disease Progression, Trial Finds
An autologous and personalized regulatory T cell therapy is safe in patients with type 1 diabetes, but does not help preserve β-cell function.
May 9, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Facade of Takeda's office in Massachusetts
Business
Takeda Lowers Profit Outlook Amid Vyvanse Loss of Exclusivity, Eyes $900M Restructuring in 2024
Takeda saw a 57% drop in profit in its 2023 fiscal year and has lowered its outlook for the coming fiscal year, mostly driven by increasing generic competition for its ADHD treatment Vyvanse.
May 9, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Regeneron logo on a light brown building
Drug Development
Regeneron’s Gene Therapy Shows ‘Dramatic’ Hearing Improvement in Deaf Kids
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals on Wednesday revealed that its investigational gene therapy DB-OTO restored hearing in two young children, according to an oral presentation at the American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy annual meeting.
May 8, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
AstraZeneca's sign on its office in California
Drug Development
AstraZeneca Withdraws COVID-19 Vaccine Worldwide as Demand Craters
AstraZeneca announced that it will voluntarily pull Vaxzevria from the global market amid a sharp decline in demand and following the company’s recent admission that its vaccine is linked with a rare side effect.
May 8, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
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