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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.

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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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
Paper torn and revealing dollar bill. Financial investment and cash income
Legal
AbbVie Lawsuit Alleges That Partner Genmab “Misappropriated” Trade Secrets
AbbVie claims that Genmab turned a blind eye to trade secret theft allegedly used to support the development of ProfoundBio’s investigational antibody-drug conjugates. Genmab acquired ProfoundBio in May 2024.
March 24, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Sign at J&J Vision offices in Silicon Valley
FDA
J&J Wins Crohn’s Expansion for Tremfya as Stelara Biosimilars Enter US Market
The label expansion could help J&J establish Tremfya as a successor to Stelara, which is now facing a growing biosimilar challenge.
March 21, 2025
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: CDC signage at its headquarters in Georg
Vaccines
CDC Vaccine Advisors to Meet in April as Trump Eyes New Agency Director
After withdrawing its nomination for Dave Weldon last week, the Trump administration is now reportedly considering Texas Republican Michael Burgess to head the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
March 21, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Man making decision what path, direction to take. Arrows pointing in different directions
Business
Adaptimmune Raises ‘Substantial Doubt’ About Business Despite First-in-Class T Cell Therapy
Adaptimmune is rolling out its T cell therapy Tecelra for synovial sarcoma, recording $1.2 million in sales since its approval in August 2024. Nevertheless, it is pausing development of two oncology assets to save money.
March 21, 2025
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Blue Sanofi sign on building in Germany at night
I&I
Sanofi Commits up to $1.9B for Dren Bio’s Bispecific Antibody for Autoimmune Disease
The deal is the latest in a series of Sanofi investments in its immunology portfolio. According to Sanfoi, DR-0201 can achieve deep B cell depletion, giving it the potential to reset the immune system.
March 20, 2025
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Tristan Manalac
Dollar banknote cut into pieces on a yellow background
Bankruptcy
Purdue Files for Bankruptcy Anew to Support $7.4B+ Opioid Settlement
The Supreme Court last year blocked a previous settlement proposal from Purdue, arguing that the plan would afford the Sackler family too much protection.
March 20, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Contemporary art collage. Human hand holding megaphones and spreading fake news. Concept of information, creativity, social issues, rumors. Copy space for ad
Vaccines
Doctors Rally Behind Vaccines as Doubts, Misinformation Mount
A group of medical experts expressed concern about growing “disinformation” and “misinformation,” calling for adherence to recommended vaccine schedules.
March 20, 2025
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Front view of the CDC museum in Georgia
Regulatory
Senate Democrats Demand Return of Fired CDC Staff: Reuters
Democratic senators from Georgia, Oregon, Maryland and New Mexico called the Trump administration’s decision to terminate hundreds of CDC staffers reckless and unfair.
March 20, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Art collage, hand with coins on blue background. Concept of business and finance.
Antibody-drug conjugate (ADC)
Roche Ups ADC Bet With $1B in Biobucks for Oxford BioTherapeutics
Roche’s up to $1 billion investment will provide access to Oxford BioTherapeutics’ antibody-drug conjugate platform for undisclosed cancer targets.
March 19, 2025
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1 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Group Of Employees Being Fired By Their Company.
Layoffs
Cargo Lays Off 90% of Staff and Stops Development Work
The biotech is exploring opportunities for a reverse merger or other business combinations. CFO and now interim CEO Anup Radhakrishnan will take charge of these negotiations.
March 19, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Budget cuts, costs and unplanned expenses. Stress and nervousness. The concept of austerity and extortion. Inflation threatens savings. Poor financial planning. Reducing income. Expenses cover income.
Policy
Trump Eyes Steep Cuts to CDC HIV Prevention Program
The CDC budget cuts could pose headwinds for HIV drugmakers like Gilead and Merck but are unlikely to severely cripple their HIV divisions, according to analysts.
March 19, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
Pictured: Sarepta sign on a brick building/courtes
Gene Therapy
Sarepta Shares Crash 22% After Patient on DMD Gene Therapy Elevidys Dies
After a patient taking the Duchenne muscular dystrophy gene therapy Elevydis died of liver injury, Sarepta will update the label to reflect the safety signal.
March 18, 2025
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2 min read
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Tristan Manalac
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