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Cancer cachexia contender enters first pivotal trial
Can Pfizer’s GDF15-blocking, appetite-boosting antibody ponsegromab address a cancer-induced wasting syndrome — and help patients live longer in the process?
Cancer dominates the drug development pipeline, but industry has paid little attention over the years to cancer cachexia — the complex weight-loss syndrome that accounts for 20–30% of cancer deaths. Two GDF15-targeted antibodies are now approaching phase II/III trials, however. Pfizer is gearing up to soon start recruiting patients into a pivotal trial of its ponsegromab, and CatalYm is set to start a similar trial of its visugromab in early 2026.
