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Tristan Manalac

Tristan Manalac

Senior Staff Writer

Tristan is BioSpace‘s senior staff writer. Based in Metro Manila, Tristan has 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.

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Gene Therapy
Intellia finds genetic suspect for liver safety signals with ATTR gene therapy
In November 2025, one patient died after receiving Intellia Therapeutics’ investigational gene silencer for transthyretin amyloidosis.
August 7, 2026
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
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Neuropsychiatric disorders
Vistagen’s repeat-dose anxiety nasal spray can’t beat placebo in mid-stage study
The Phase 2 study was small and was not designed to establish the statistical difference between Vistagen’s drug candidate and placebo, according to Vistagen. The biotech plans to meet with the FDA to determine a registrational path for the asset.
August 7, 2026
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
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Approvals
Takeda’s narcolepsy nod opens orexin doors
Orzeyful is the first orexin agonist cleared by the FDA, and is the first narcolepsy therapy that addresses the full host of disease symptoms. It is “likely to reshape the treatment paradigm” for the condition, Jefferies told investors.
August 6, 2026
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
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Pipeline
Sanofi pauses mid-stage lung study amid new CEO’s ‘rigorous portfolio prioritization’
Since stepping in as Sanofi’s CEO in April, Belén Garijo has launched a deep look at the pharma’s pipeline, reassessing assets based on “scientific merit” and potential for long-term value in the quest for a Dupixent follow-up.
August 6, 2026
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
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Approvals
Moderna’s flu shot crosses FDA finish line, bouncing back from regulatory roadblock
The FDA in February slapped Moderna’s vaccine with a refusal-to-file letter—though the agency backtracked a few days later and accepted a revised submission for review. An advisory committee in June unanimously backed mFLUVISA’s approval.
August 6, 2026
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
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Earnings
Gilead looks to upcoming inflammation, cancer catalysts as pressure to diversify mounts
HIV remained Gilead’s strongest franchise in the second quarter, but the pharma is building out its pipeline beyond virology, particularly focusing on inflammation and oncology.
August 5, 2026
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3 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Last Man Standing Leader Among those who gave up on business victory in business battles
Obesity
Amgen’s MariTide stands alone after obesity cull while analysts seek more M&A
Amgen has discontinued Phase 1 obesity candidate AMG 513, leaving MariTide as its sole weight loss asset. Meanwhile, executives said the company’s late-stage pipeline is largely full and future business development will focus on earlier-stage opportunities.
August 5, 2026
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
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Earnings
Novo CEO sees innovation as a matter of survival amid pipeline setbacks
Novo Nordisk CEO Maziar Mike Doustdar on a second quarter earnings call argued that failure is par for the course in the drug development business. The Danish pharma is focused on building out its pipeline to move past recent clinical roadblocks.
August 5, 2026
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3 min read
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Tristan Manalac
A flower in the middle of the desert
IPO
Latigo, BlossomHill detail IPO plans for pain and cancer push
Latigo Biotherapeutics is looking to raise up to $285.2 million for a non-opioid analgesic, while BlossomHill Therapeutics is eyeing up to $129.1 million in proceeds for its oncology pipeline.
August 4, 2026
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3 min read
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Tristan Manalac
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Cancer
Pathos inks back-to-back cancer contracts with AstraZeneca, China’s Alphamab
Pathos AI could pay more than $2 billion to a Jiangsu Alphamab Biopharmaceuticals subsidiary for a late-stage bispecific antibody-drug conjugate for breast cancer, while the financial details of the AstraZeneca agreement were not disclosed.
August 4, 2026
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
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IgA nephropathy
Vertex unfazed by competitive IgAN space as FDA verdict looms
Positive two-year follow-up data for Otsuka Pharmaceuticals’ IgA nephropathy drug Voyxact could support the FDA’s ongoing review of Vertex Pharmaceuticals’ povetacicept, CEO Reshma Kewalramani said on the company’s second quarter earnings call.
August 4, 2026
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
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Immunology and inflammation
Novo’s late-stage IL-6 stumble shakes inflammation space
Novo Nordisk was banking on the inflammatory benefits of its investigational therapy ziltivekimab to improve cardiovascular outcomes. Last week’s Phase 3 failure dashed not just the Danish pharma’s hopes but that of other drugmakers working on the same pathway.
August 3, 2026
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
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Business
Amgen hit with cybersecurity breach, patient data affected
The hack is unlikely to affect Amgen’s financial reporting and other operations, nor does the pharma expect its ability to meet patient needs will be compromised.
August 3, 2026
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
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Pipeline
5 companies advancing ATTR assets in the wake of Wainua’s fail
The Phase 3 failure of AstraZeneca and Ionis Pharmaceuticals’ antisense therapy in transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy last month left the space reeling—and readjusting. BioSpace looks at five contenders and where they currently stand.
August 3, 2026
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8 min read
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Tristan Manalac
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Earnings
Alnylam absorbs $10.8B blowback after cutting full-year guidance for TTR franchise
Alnylam’s revenue cut “may create a near term credibility overhang and could “raise questions on peak sales potential, even if there’s tailwinds in the competitive landscape,” according to Stifel.
July 31, 2026
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac