The quest to lengthen the lives of man’s best friend has taken a significant leap forward as Loyal, a veterinary medicine company, forges ahead with clinical trials for drugs designed to prolong the lifespan of large-breed dogs. This San Francisco-based startup is currently awaiting the United States Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) nod for a trio of drugs, with hopes pinned on conditional approval.
Loyal’s approach targets a biological marker associated with aging: the growth-promoting hormone IGF-1. Research on various species, including mice and fruit flies, has linked lowered IGF-1 levels to increased longevity. This foundational science now informs the development of LOY-001, one of the drugs in Loyal’s pipeline, which aims to reduce IGF-1 in canines. If successful, the treatment, which involves shots every three to six months starting at the age of seven for dogs over 40 pounds, could see these beloved pets enjoying longer, healthier lives.
“We hope to someday be able to translate what we learn about longevity in dogs into similar therapies for humans,” disclosed Celine Halioua, founder and CEO of Loyal.
Safety and ethical considerations remain paramount in this groundbreaking work. Cornell University professor Adam Boyko, who co-founded Embark Veterinary, “The main ethical concern I see here is ensuring the experimental drugs are being used judiciously with a reasonable expectation of a positive cost-benefit to the dogs enrolled in the study,” Boyko said. Loyal echoes this responsibility, with Halioua stating, “We give them medications when they’re sick. Our products follow this same principle — supporting dogs’ quality of life in their middle years so they stay healthy as they age and consequently live longer, better lives.”
The implications of Loyal’s research extend beyond the scope of veterinary medicine, raising hopes for aging interventions applicable to humans. Loyal’s novel treatments may also reach beyond large breeds, with Halioua revealing, “We have three drugs in development currently. LOY-001 and LOY-003 are focused on large-breed dogs. And our LOY-002 drug is designed for senior dogs of all but the smallest breeds.”
Relevant articles:
– A drug could allow some dogs to live longer lives, paving the way for similar medications for humans
– Dogs Die Too Soon, but a Possible Drug Could Fix That, DISCOVER Magazine, Mon, 15 Apr 2024 13:04:26 GMT
– The first anti-aging pill for dogs is entering trials — and an 11-year-old whippet named Boo is the first to try it, Yahoo News Canada, Fri, 12 Apr 2024 11:26:28 GMT