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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.

AstraZeneca's sign on its office in California
Earnings
AstraZeneca Builds Obesity Pipeline On ‘Medical Aspect,’ Not Aesthetics
In an investor call Thursday, AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot outlined his company’s approach to obesity drug development based on “the medical aspect” of weight loss, including driving down visceral fat.
November 6, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Poster sketch image artwork photo collage of body language finger showing gesture symbol thumb down dislike dissatisfied minus no opinion.
FDA
FDA’s Top Cancer Regulator Declined CDER Directorship
The search continues for a new leader for the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research after George Tidmarsh resigned on Sunday. Deputy Director Mike Davis is in the running, along with Mary Thanh Hai, currently head of the Office of New Drugs.
November 6, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Judge hiiting tiny man by gavel. Bankruptcy, lawsuit, protest concept. Vector illustration.
Legal
Delaware Court Denies Pfizer’s Bid To Block Novo-Metsera Deal
The court’s decision allows Metsera to walk away from its previous acquisition agreement with Pfizer in favor of Novo Nordisk’s higher bid.
November 6, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Composite photo collage of two players hold chess board game hobby tactic horse queen championship leisure isolated on painted background.
Obesity
Novo’s Metsera Bid Attracts FTC Scrutiny as Pfizer Matches $10B Offer
Pressure from the FTC and Pfizer is building around Novo Nordisk’s bid to snatch obesity biotech Metsera. The antitrust watchdog has spotted issues with the structure of Novo’s bid, while its New York-based rival has put more money on the table.
November 6, 2025
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3 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Poster sketch image artwork photo collage of body language finger showing gesture symbol thumb down dislike dissatisfied minus no opinion.
Rare diseases
Biohaven Cuts R&D Spending by 60% After FDA Rejection of Drug for Rare Neurodegenerative Disease
Biohaven is proposing troriluzole for the treatment of spinocerebellar ataxia, a group of rare, genetic diseases that lead to the progressive loss of control over movement.
November 5, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Conceptual business illustration of upcoming business problem metaphor with falling domino and businessman silhouette. Minimalistic vector eps 10 illustration
Preclinical
Arena BioWorks Folds Less Than Two Years After Launch, Blames ‘Policy Uncertainty’
Arena launched with $500 million in early 2024 to fund basic biological research, from which it planned to spin out dedicated companies to focus on drug development.
November 5, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Missed Target
Rare diseases
Harmony Freezes Cannabidiol Gel After Phase III Miss in Fragile X Syndrome
Harmony Biosciences has paused a mid-stage trial of ZYN002 in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome after the THC-free cannabinoid drug failed to significantly improve social avoidance in a late-stage study in fragile X Syndrome.
November 5, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Amgen's office in Massachusetts/iStock,
Earnings
Amid Obesity Bidding War, Amgen Believes It Can Stand Out in Crowded Space
Amgen remains confident in its obesity asset MariTide, for which it has launched a broad Phase III program.
November 5, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
©Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.
Earnings
Vertex’s New Products Dim as Analysts Eye Kidney Portfolio
The potential approval of Vertex’s IgAN therapy povetacicept in 2026 comes amid launch headwinds for the company’s non-opioid pain medicine Journavx and gene therapy Casgevy.
November 4, 2025
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5 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Space rocket crashed and on fire. Business failure, failed startup. Downfall of ambitious plans, flawed execution, or crisis outcomes. Volatility of startups, financial risks, or unexpected setbacks.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Sarepta’s DMD Exon-Skippers Fail Confirmatory Study, Stock Craters
Sarepta nevertheless plans to push for full FDA approval of Vyondys 53 and Amondys 45 based on what it said are “encouraging trends” in efficacy.
November 4, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Female hand showing thumbs up gesture on blue background, art collage. Positive hand sign. Fashion collage in the style of Thumbs up magazine. Contemporary art. Modern design.
Rare diseases
UCB Wins First FDA Approval for Ultra-Rare Mitochondrial Disease
Kygevvi is indicated for patients with thymidine kinase 2 deficiency whose symptoms arise by 12 years of age. The disease manifests as muscle weakness and can become life-threatening in severe instances.
November 4, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
FDA CDER director George Tidmarsh speaking in an FDA video
FDA
UPDATE: Tidmarsh Waffles on Resignation, Will Fight To Clear Name
Less than 24 hours after resigning his post as the FDA’s head drug regulator, George Tidmarsh is reportedly reconsidering his decision and vowing to fight for his name and credibility amid a probe into his “personal conduct” at the agency.
November 3, 2025
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3 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Legal battle lawsuit concept as two justice scales hitting each other as a justice court fight symbol representing a lawyer or attorney representation services with 3D illustration elements.
Mergers & acquisitions
UPDATE: Pfizer Files Lawsuits Against Novo Nordisk, Metsera To Stop Rival Bid
Pfizer has filed two separate lawsuits in an effort to stop Novo Nordisk’s unsolicited bid to acquire obesity biotech Metsera.
November 3, 2025
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4 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Silver Spring, MD, USA - June 25, 2022: The FDA White Oak Campus, headquarters of the United States Food and Drug Administration, a federal agency of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Gene editing
FDA Eyes Accelerated Reviews for Gene Editing Therapies
Vinay Prasad, chief of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, is planning to publish a paper this month to outline his office’s thinking on accelerating gene editing reviews.
November 3, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Eli Lilly's biotechnology center in California
Pain
Lilly Refines Pain Pipeline Again, Scrapping Mid-Stage Program
Before being discontinued, the P2X7 receptor blocker had cleared a master protocol study in chronic pain, though Eli Lilly said that results were not sufficient for advancement of the Asahi Kasei–partnered asset.
October 31, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
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