The drug LOY-001 interacts with hormones that accelerate aging.
The term “dog years” may take on new meaning thanks to a new drug aimed at extending dogs’ lives.
The drug, currently called LOY-001, is not yet available to pet owners, but San Francisco-based Royal, which is developing the drug, says it could be commercially available as early as 2026. It is said that there is a sex.
Answer 5 questions about your medication.
1. Is this medication designed for all dogs?
LOY-001 is specifically designed for large adult dogs, which generally have a shorter lifespan than smaller dogs.
2. How does the drug work?
The drug is said to work by interacting with insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1), a hormone that promotes growth and is thought to accelerate aging in dogs.
Previous studies have shown that dogs with lower insulin levels are associated with less frailty and a higher quality of life than dogs with higher insulin levels.
IGF-1 is naturally higher in large dogs, so they tend not to live as long as small dogs.
3. Is the medicine a pill?
LOY-001 is a long-acting injectable drug that is administered to dogs by a veterinarian every three to six months, according to Royal.
4. Are there any side effects for dogs?
Previous studies have shown that LOY-001 side effects may include mild and temporary gastrointestinal upset in dogs.
5. Why is the drug not available yet?
Further research must be done before this drug is approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Royal announced this month that the FDA notified it that data to date show the drug has potential efficacy.
However, full FDA approval of the drug requires the completion of extensive clinical trials and a review of safety and manufacturing data.
Royal said it hopes to receive conditional FDA approval for LOY-001 by 2026.
Dr. Khushali Jhaveri, a board-certified internist, is a hematology-oncology fellow at Moffitt Cancer Center and a member of the ABC News Medical Unit.
