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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.

Businessman holding a dart aiming at the target - business targeting, aiming, focus concept. Art collage.
Cancer
BioNTech’s Bispecific Elicits Treatment Response in Majority of SCLC Patients
BNT327, a PD L1/VEGF antibody, belongs to a class of next-generation immunotherapies hoping to beat out Keytruda.
March 28, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
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Policy
RFK Jr. to Cut 10,000 Jobs Across HHS
The announcement by the Department of Health and Human Services highlighted a flurry of moves, which include the shifting of departments. Also this week, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. tapped fellow vaccine critic David Geier to investigate vaccine safety within the CDC.
March 27, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Community expansion. Collaboration, of new members. Cooperate on project development. Find like-minded people, join the team. Spread influence and power.
Mergers & acquisitions
Alcon Secures Majority Stake in Aurion, Deposes CEO
Last month, Deerfield Management accused Alcon of obstructing Aurion’s IPO plans so it could acquire the startup “at a discount.”
March 27, 2025
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1 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Regulatory and safety control measures in pharmaceutical industry banner. Drug regulations, safety controls FDA ensuring the quality of pharmaceutical products, vector illustration isolated on white.
Approvals
Soleno Wins First FDA Approval for Hyperphagia in Prader-Willi Syndrome
Soleno’s Vykat XR is the first drug approved for the rare disease that directly targets its hallmark symptom.
March 27, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: J&J's office in Madrid, Spain
Lung cancer
J&J’s Lung Cancer Combo Bests AstraZeneca’s Tagrisso, Reducing Risk of Death 25%
The latest data from Johnson and Johnson’s Rybrevant and Lazcluze lung cancer combo was better than standard of care Tagrisso on overall survival. But analysts say the next step is getting a subcutaneous formula approved.
March 27, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Interest rate and tax concept. A percentage symbol and arrow symbol on wooden cube. Interest rates continue to increase, return on stocks and mutual. funds, finance, growth, increase, profit. FED.
Government
Tariffs Would Impede Access to Affordable Drugs, Industry Warns
Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs on the EU would increase manufacturing costs for pharma companies and would stall medical innovation, according to the results of a recent survey by the Biotechnology Innovation Organization.
March 26, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
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Alzheimer’s disease
Eisai Lowers Sales Expectations for Leqembi Again, Citing Slow US Uptake
Eisai’s new fiscal 2027 forecast for Leqembi is roughly 50% lower than its projections a year ago.
March 26, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
A doctor's hand in a blue medical glove holding a jar of medicine or vitamins on a blue background with copy space. Vector illustration in flat style
FDA
GSK Wins FDA Nod for First Oral UTI Antibiotic in Almost 30 Years
Blujepa, which treats UTIs in female patients aged 12 and up with common and uncomplicated infections, will hit the market in the second half of this year.
March 26, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
External view of the U.S. Capitol building
Government
Senate Confirms Makary as FDA Chief as Trump’s Health Nominees Move Forward
Marty Makary earlier this month distanced himself from the recent shake-ups at the FDA, including the cancellation of its vaccines advisory committee meeting and the steep layoffs at the agency.
March 26, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
South San Francisco, CA, USA - May 1, 2022: Exterior view of the Merck Researches Laboratories in South San Francisco, California. Merck & Co., Inc. is a global pharmaceutical company headquartered in Rahway, New Jersey. The company does business as Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD) outside the United States and Canada.
Collaboration
Merck Commits Nearly $2B for Oral Lipid-Lowering Drug from Chinese Biotech
Merck joins a growing list of companies targeting lipoprotein(a), high levels of which are associated with an elevated risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes.
March 25, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Sale discounts and promotions. Loans and mortgages. Cashback shopping bonus. Rising borrowing payments
Policy
Trump Doubles Down on Pharma Tariff Threats
President Donald Trump’s tariffs on pharmaceuticals “to come at some point,” per CNBC, as companies promise to build infrastructure in the U.S.
March 25, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Glasses and lenses for correcting vision on a colored background. High quality photo
Drug development
Opthea, UNITY Fail to Unseat Regeneron’s Eylea in Vision Disorders
The Eylea franchise was in need of a win after an appellate court last week denied the pharma’s bid to block Amgen’s biosimilar from the U.S.
March 25, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
CDC approved vaccines for adults to boost the immu
Government
Trump Nominates Acting Director Monarez as CDC Head
If confirmed, Susan Monarez will have her work cut out for her, facing a measles outbreak that has already killed two people—the first measles-related deaths in the U.S. since 2015.
March 25, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Facade of Novo Nordisk's office in Fremont, California
Weight loss
Novo Challenges Lilly With up to $2B Bet for Triple-G Obesity Drug From Chinese Biotech
Novo will license UTB251, a triple hormone receptor agonist that in mid-2023 achieved 24% weight reduction at 48 weeks in a mid-stage study.
March 24, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Facade of AstraZeneca's office in Shanghai, China
China
AstraZeneca Makes Potential $10B+ China Commitment Despite Political Pressure
The investments come amid an ongoing insurance fraud probe into AstraZeneca’s former China head Leon Wang—and despite mounting pressure from President Trump for pharma companies to re-shore their manufacturing operations.
March 24, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
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