In this episode, Dr. Eugen Leo of CatalYm discusses the promise of Visugromab, a first-in-class monoclonal antibody that targets GDF-15, a key factor in solid tumour immune resistance. The therapy not only helps reinvigorate immune responses but also improves quality of life for advanced cancer patients.

Key Points:

This episode highlights how CatalYm is rewriting the rules in cancer immunotherapy by neutralizing GDF-15 with visugromab. The antibody shows promise not only in boosting tumor responses but also in improving patients’ quality of life.

• Visugromab targets immunotherapy resistance at its root: CatalYm’s lead antibody, visugromab, neutralizes GDF-15, an immunosuppressive protein secreted by tumors that blocks immune cells from entering and attacking cancer sites.
• Impressive clinical results in hard-to-treat cancers: In early trials (notably the GODFATHER-1 study), visugromab combined with anti-PD-1 therapy showed deep, durable responses, including complete remissions, in late-stage, treatment-resistant cancer patients.
• Potential dual benefit- anticancer and anti-cachexia: Visugromab may also counteract cancer cachexia—a debilitating condition of weight and muscle loss—by blocking GDF-15, which plays a role in this syndrome.
• Next steps- broader trials in earlier-stage cancer: With $150M in Series D funding, CatalYm is launching Phase 2b trials in 2025 targeting non-small cell lung cancer and other tumour types in earlier treatment lines.
• A versatile platform for combination therapy: Visugromab may complement checkpoint inhibitors, ADCs, and chemotherapy, potentially enhancing outcomes across a wide spectrum of solid tumours.