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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.

broken human head conceptual digital illustration
Huntington’s disease
Sage Scraps Huntington’s Hopeful After Disappointing Phase II Data
After previously failing studies in Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, dalzanemdor’s latest stumble in Huntington’s disease has pushed Sage Therapeutics to pull the plug on the NMDA receptor modulator.
November 20, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Human liver protection. Wireframe low poly style. Concept for medical, pharmacology, treatment of the hepatitis. Abstract modern 3d vector illustration on dark blue background.
MASH
Novo, Viking Heat Up MASH Space with Promising Data at AASLD24
Readouts from Novo Nordisk and Viking Therapeutics at AASLD 2024 strengthen the argument for GLP-1 therapies as an emerging backbone of MASH treatment, with the potential to combine it with other drug classes to achieve deeper responses, according to BMO Capital Markets analyst Evan Seigerman.
November 20, 2024
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3 min read
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Tristan Manalac
TV host Dr. Mehmet Oz speaking at a Senate hearing
Government
Trump to Appoint Celebrity Physician Dr. Oz to Head CMS
The selection of controversial TV personality Mehmet Oz to run the agency overseeing Medicare and Medicaid follows Trump’s pick of RFK Jr. to run its parent department, HHS.
November 20, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Biogen's signage at its headquarters in Massachusetts
Immunology and inflammation
Biogen, UCB Reveal Details Behind Surprise Late-Stage Win in Lupus, Eyes Second Phase III
After the unexpected success of their PHOENYCS GO study for dapirolizumab pegol in lupus earlier this fall, Biogen and UCB are planning a second late-stage trial by the end of the year to support a drug application.
November 19, 2024
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3 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Colorful DNA molecule. Structure of the genetic code. Genetic Syndrome and Genetic Disorder, 3D illustration of science concept.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Regenxbio Gears Up to Challenge Sarepta in DMD as Gene Therapy Advances to Pivotal Studies
Regenxbio is pushing its Duchenne muscular dystrophy gene therapy into pivotal development, with a BLA planned for 2026—potentially posing a threat to Sarepta’s Elevidys.
November 19, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Incyte's logo on its building in Delaware
Immunology and inflammation
Incyte’s $750M Escient Bet Flops as Skin Disease Assets Stumble
Incyte’s pipeline updates on Monday bring into question the value of its $750 million Escient acquisition in April 2024—and further erode confidence that the biotech can effectively mitigate the impacts of Jakafi’s loss of exclusivity in the coming years, according to analysts.
November 19, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: An Eli Lilly Research Laboratories sign/
Cardiovascular disease
Lilly Plots Path for Cholesterol Pill After Strong Mid-Stage Showing
Lilly’s muvalaplin is the first oral drug to show positive Phase II findings for Lp(a) reduction, eliciting up to an 86% drop in the biomarker after 12 weeks.
November 19, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Human liver protection. Wireframe low poly style. Concept for medical, pharmacology, treatment of the hepatitis. Abstract modern 3d vector illustration on dark blue background.
MASH
Boston Pharma Carves Out Monthly Treatment Niche in MASH With Strong Phase II Data
Boston Pharma’s once-monthly injection efimosfermin alfa offers a convenient dosing option for MASH patients while also achieving promising rates of fibrosis and MASH improvement, according to a Phase II readout.
November 18, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
2D illustration showing scientists' hands editing a DNA strand
Gene editing
Intellia’s CRISPR Gene Editor Shows Early Promise With Strong Biomarker Benefit in ATTR Amyloidosis
Analysts appear optimistic for Intellia’s gene editor nex-z, which showed a greater serum TTR reduction than Alnylam’s Amvuttra.
November 18, 2024
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3 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Government
Trump Picks RFK Jr. to Lead HHS
Trump’s HHS pick, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is an anti-vaccine campaigner who has previously said that he plans to gut the FDA on allegations of corruption and reduce the NIH’s headcount.
November 15, 2024
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3 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Bristol Myers Squibb office in California
Legal
Celgene Shareholders Hit BMS with Fresh Lawsuit for Allegedly Dodging CVR Payments
BMS has so far been on a winning streak in the contingent value right cases, which allege that the pharma intentionally delayed regulatory activities for Breyanzi in order to avoid a $6.4 billion payout to Celgene shareholders.
November 15, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Feb 2, 2020 South San Francisco / CA / USA - Merck & Co. headquarters in Silicon Valley; Merck & Co. Inc. is an American multinational pharmaceutical company
Collaboration
Merck Hops Onto PD-1/VEGF Train, Committing up to $3B Plus in LaNova Deal
Despite recent enthusiasm around the PD-1/VEGF space, BMO Capital Markets analyst Evan Seigerman noted that Merck’s pact with LaNova Medicines is more “conservativism” on the pharma’s part than confirmatory of recent data in the drug class.
November 14, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
GSK's headquarters office building in Poznan, Poland
Cancer
GSK Builds Case for Blenrep with Multiple Myeloma OS Data That Bests J&J’s Darzalex
GSK is carving out a niche for Blenrep in the second-line multiple myeloma setting, for which it projects multi-blockbuster potential for the antibody-drug conjugate.
November 14, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Art collage, coins, and arrow up on the red and paper background. Concept of business and financial growth.
Cancer
Adaptimmune Plots Path to FDA as Sarcoma Cell Therapy Aces Pivotal Trial
Following strong treatment response data for Adaptimmune’s lete-cel, the biotech is planning to initiate a rolling BLA submission to the FDA, set to start by the end of 2025.
November 14, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
FDA signage at its headquarters in Maryland
Approvals
PTC Wins First FDA Nod for Direct-to-Brain Gene Therapy, Targets Ultrarare Disease
The FDA has followed in the footsteps of its European counterparts and granted accelerated approval to PTC Therapeutics’ gene therapy Kebilidi for AADC deficiency. It is the first approved gene therapy to be delivered directly to the brain.
November 14, 2024
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
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