What to know
- A veterinary biotech company in the United States is in the process of developing a “longevity drug” meant to extend canine lifespan by improving metabolic health.
- The company has successfully undergone two of three trials needed for FDA approval and are currently in the process of conducting the final study – the STAY study.
- Now Toronto asked pet owners in Toronto whether they would be interested in such a drug.
A San Francisco-based animal health biotech company is developing metabolism drugs for senior dogs which it says could extend their lifespan, and Torontonians have mixed feelings about it.
Loyal, a clinical-stage veterinary medicine company, says it’s conducting the STAY study – a double-blinded, placebo-controlled study with 1,300 dogs aged 10 or older in the U.S. and the largest study of its kind.
“To our knowledge, no one in animal health has run such a diverse and long-running clinical trial,” the company writes on its website.
The company says its senior dog drug, LOY-002, is meant to “extend healthy lifespan by targeting age-associated metabolic dysfunction.”
It earned Food and Drug Administration (FDA) acceptance on its Target Animal Safety, which means the agency agrees that data supports its safety for its intended use.
Following the completion of two of three major requirements for a conditional FDA approval – a preclinical study and a pilot study – Loyal says the STAY study will be the final step in its application for FDA approval.
“Throughout the approval process, all safety data is submitted to the FDA for review. … We’ll be able to share this data as we get closer to launch, and we’ll disclose any side effects seen in any of our studies that are associated with our drugs,” the company writes.
The company says FDA-approved drugs undergo more rigorous standards of safety and effective screening, independent analysis, and regulation than typical supplements found in the market.
Dog owners react to ‘longevity drugs’ for their pets
Jose, a Toronto-based dog walker and owner of seven-year-old Bosco, says he would be interested in a drug that could help Bosco live longer.
“It’s my life partner,” Jose tells Now Toronto.
“[Bosco living longer] would be everything.”
Gabi, owner of eight-month-old dachshund, Santi, says it would depend on the results of the trials.
“It would obviously depend on the side effects,” she tells Now Toronto.
“If it’s something that is doable and not too harmful for the dog, I think I would be fine with that.”
In addition to potential side effects, Gabi says the cost of the drug would also matter.
“If it’s not unbelievably expensive, I’ll be interested in looking into it.”
Christian, owner of seven-year-old rescue Rambo, also expressed some reservations.
“I don’t know if I’ll be an early adopter to it,” he tells Now Toronto.
“Of course, if everything is properly set up, once it’s FDA approved, I think that’s something interesting to try out.
However, even an FDA stamp of approval would not be enough to convince Mark, owner of six-year-old Bailey.
“I’m just not a fan of medication if you can avoid it,” he tells Now Toronto.
“I wouldn’t do it for myself, I wouldn’t do it for my dog either.”
In addition to LOY-002 – intended for senior dogs – Loyal is also developing LOY-001 and LOY-003 that target large and giant dogs, whose lifespan is much shorter than smaller dogs.
If and when approved, the drug would be made available through veterinary prescription.
