The trend of humanizing pets is also quickly spreading to weight-loss drugs: Biopharmaceutical company Vivani Medical recently announced results for OKV-119, a new miniature drug implant designed to treat obesity and diabetes in cats.
The positive weight loss data was published in the peer-reviewed BMC Veterinary Research. Vivani partnered with Okava Pharmaceuticals to develop OKV-119 using the company’s NanoPortal technology to treat prediabetes, diabetes and obesity in cats. Results of a small study showed that the implant treatment helped cats lose at least 5% of their body weight over 112 days.
Researchers estimate that up to 40 percent of pet cats need help managing their weight, and feline obesity is now one of the most common problems seen in veterinary clinics, Vivani said. Pet Food IndustryA 2022 survey by the Pet Obesity Prevention Association reported that 61% of cats evaluated were overweight or obese.
“The data published in BMC Veterinary Research is further evidence that our proprietary NanoPortal implant technology shows promise in reducing obesity in cats,” said Adam Mendelsohn, PhD, president and CEO of Vivani. “Cats share many pathophysiological obesity phenotypes with humans, and this feline data, plus preclinical studies of NPM-115 and NPM-119 in other animal models, support our efforts toward clinical evaluation of miniature subcutaneous GLP-1 implants for chronic weight management and treatment of type 2 diabetes in obese or overweight human patients, respectively.”
“Vivani is committed to rapidly developing a portfolio of weight loss-focused implants that collectively have the potential to improve adherence, tolerability and real-world patient outcomes,” Mendelson added.
Study design
Five purposefully bred, neutered male cats participated in the study. At the time of enrollment, the cats were 28 months of age, weighed (median, range) 5.61 kg (5.14-7.38 kg), and were deemed healthy on physical examination. The general health of each animal was assessed throughout the 112-day study period.
To allow for measurements of daily caloric intake, cats were individually penned from days 6 to 28 and fed a standardized pelleted cat food (Purina Cat Indoor Formula) with 90 grams of fresh food each morning. Cats were given canned wet food (Friskies Meaty Bits) to induce appetite if caloric intake became too restricted.
From day 28 onwards, cats were removed from their individual enclosures and fed 450 grams of dry pellet food in batches for the remainder of the study. The amount of food provided and consumed was recorded for the duration of the study. Water was available ad libitum. Physical examinations were performed daily and body weights were measured weekly. Plasma samples were taken weekly for measurement of exenatide concentrations throughout the study.
This study evaluated the drug release characteristics of subcutaneous OKV-119 implants designed to release exenatide for 84 days. Key findings include:
- Long-term administration: One OKV-119 implant effectively released exenatide for three months as designed.
- Weight Loss: Cats experienced weight loss when exposed to exenatide plasma concentrations ranging from 1.5 ng/ml to 4 ng/ml.
- Health Effects: Just like in humans, obesity in cats can lead to a shorter lifespan and health problems.
Vivani has separately demonstrated the ability to deliver exenatide in vitro and in vivo (in rats) for six months and plans to extend the duration of OKV-119 to six months for future studies.
Other Weight Loss Efforts
In February, Better Choice, a pet health and wellness company and maker of the pet food brand Halo Elevate, acquired Aimia Pet Healthco Inc. The company said the acquisition gave it greater in-house control over clinical trials as it seeks to develop supplements to help farm animals lose weight.
Better Choice noted that in addition to working with Animia to develop treats and toppings that safely prevent pet obesity, the companies’ research and development goal is to replicate the weight-loss benefits of leading livestock and human brands, such as Slentrol, Wegovi, Ozempic and Maunjaro, with the added protein and nutrients from Better Choice’s Halo products to promote lean muscle and overall health in pets.
