For most dog owners, their four-legged friends are more than reliable companions. They are practically part of the family.
Unfortunately, dogs don’t live as long as humans, with an average lifespan of 10 to 13 years.
But what if there was a way to extend your dog’s life by years by simply taking a pill every day?
A first-of-its-kind anti-aging drug for dogs that targets metabolic fitness processes is now in clinical trials.
A spokesperson for Royal, the company that developed the drug, said targeting dogs’ metabolic health could “reduce the effects of age-related diseases and maintain quality of life into old age.” He said he is aiming for
“Our metabolism changes as we age, leading to a decline in health, and dogs are no exception. By targeting the underlying mechanisms of aging, Royal is able to extend the lifespan of dogs and help them grow older. We want to maintain our quality of life as we move forward,” the company said in a statement.
Scientists say this could lay the foundation for similar treatments designed for humans.
According to the nonprofit organization Understanding Animal Research, it has been observed that dogs are good models for human research because they have the same number of genes and can diagnose the same diseases as humans. Dogs have been used in human cancer research and Duchenne muscular dystrophy research.
Carmen Castaneda Seppa, dean of Northeastern University’s Bouvey College of Health Sciences and an expert in healthy aging, used mice to study human metabolism and its effects on health and aging. He says he knows about research. This new drug and clinical trial could help further our understanding of that process.
“They talk about working on your metabolism,” she says. “Age-related metabolic changes occur during peak adulthood,” she says. “Muscle mass, which is a very important tissue that contributes to human metabolism and health maintenance, begins to decrease from around the age of 30 unless we are conscious of intentionally maintaining or increasing muscle mass, such as through exercise.”
The STAY study, as the name suggests, is being conducted by Loyal. It is distributed in partnership with more than 50 independent veterinary hospitals nationwide.
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More than 1,000 dogs aged 10 and older will participate in the study over four years. The plan is to make the drug available to dog owners with conditional FDA approval by early 2025, and the company plans to make the drug available to dog owners who are at least 10 years old and weigh at least 14 pounds. Owners are actively invited.
The drug, called LOY-002, was designed specifically for “all but the smallest breeds of older dogs,” the company says on its website. The first dog to participate in the study was an 11-year-old whippet named Boo.
Royal is also developing an injectable (LOY-001) and tablet (LOY-003) for large and giant breed dogs that target biological mechanisms thought to cause large dogs to die earlier than small dogs. However, these drugs are in the early stages of development. And then unfold.
Seppa quickly realized there was some skepticism about the drug. There are many factors that can influence the aging process, including genetics, diet, and physical activity. It may not be as easy as popping a pill. It is also important to consider the emotional and psychological health of both dog and owner throughout this process, along with any potential side effects.
To its credit, Royal is quick to point out on its website that some animals participating in clinical trials may experience side effects.
“We have extensive safety data for this drug at doses much higher than those used in the study. Still, there is a potential for side effects any time a dog takes the drug. The informed consent form you receive from your veterinary team will provide detailed safety information.” “If your dog experiences side effects from medications, they will be supported with safety resources, including training on how to recognize side effects and access to a 24/7 hotline.”
Although there are many questions about this study and its impact, Seppa says he is interested in seeing how the process plays out.
“By harnessing the unknown, asking questions, and creating these challenges and opportunities, we advance science and discovery,” she says.
