Loyal for Dogs, a veterinary biotech company, is making progress in developing a drug that could potentially extend the lifespan of larger canine breeds. The drug, known as LOY-001, is intended for dogs aged 7 and up and weighing at least 40 pounds (almost 19 kgs).
While LOY-001 is still in the pre-clinical stage, the FDA has acknowledged that the preliminary data is sufficient to indicate a “reasonable expectation of effectiveness.”
According to Science Alert, Loyal’s CEO, Celine Halioua, expressed pride in achieving what is believed to be the FDA’s first formal acceptance for developing and approving a drug to extend canine lifespan.
LOY-001 works by inhibiting insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1), a growth hormone associated with aging in various animals. Loyal is also working on two other versions, LOY-002 and LOY-003, which will be available as daily pills. These drugs, which also target IGF-1, are intended for different types of senior dogs.
Larger dog breeds, which have higher IGF-1 levels, typically have shorter lifespans than smaller breeds. Loyal’s observational study, which included over 450 large dogs, discovered that lower insulin levels were associated with less frailty and higher quality of life. This discovery, combined with extensive technical data, prompted the FDA to recognize LOY-001’s potential to extend dog life spans.
FDA approval and future objectives
Loyal hopes to secure conditional approval for LOY-001 by 2026, allowing for faster market availability while ongoing clinical trials gather additional evidence. Through these trials, Celine Halioua and her team hope to increase the lifespan of dogs by at least a year.
As discussions about animal longevity drugs continue, experts stress the importance of ensuring that an extended lifespan corresponds to a high quality of life for pets. Kate Creevy, Chief Veterinary Officer of the Dog Aging Project, believes that any attempt to extend canine lifespans must focus on improving health and well-being.
Pathways investigated in longevity drugs for dogs may have implications for human health beyond the realm of veterinary medicine. While no FDA-approved longevity drug has been developed to date, the pursuit of such developments raises ethical concerns and sparks debates about the responsibilities owed to pets.
Loyal is actively seeking over a thousand senior dogs for clinical trials that will begin in 2024/2025. Simultaneously, the Dog Aging Project is working on rapamycin, a potential life-extending drug for dogs that targets the mTOR molecule and has anti-aging effects in various organisms.