Loyal, a clinical-stage animal health company, has achieved a significant milestone with its drug LOY-002, designed to extend the healthy lifespan of senior dogs. The FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine has accepted the Reasonable Expectation of Effectiveness (RXE) section of Loyal's application for conditional approval, marking a crucial step toward making the drug available to veterinarians and dog owners. LOY-002 targets age-related metabolic dysfunction in canines aged 10 years and older, weighing at least 14 lbs, aiming to improve their quality of life.
Targeting Metabolic Dysfunction in Aging Dogs
LOY-002 is designed to combat the effects of aging by addressing metabolic dysfunction, a key factor in the decline of health in senior dogs. The drug is administered as a daily, beef-flavored tablet, making it palatable and easy to administer. By improving metabolic health, LOY-002 aims to delay the onset and reduce the impact of age-associated diseases, ultimately extending the period of healthy living for older dogs.
The STAY Clinical Study
To further evaluate LOY-002, Loyal is conducting the STAY clinical study, a comprehensive trial involving 1000 dogs across approximately 70 independent veterinary clinics in the US. Launched in late 2023, the study is expected to run for four years. Dogs enrolled in the study are randomly assigned to receive either LOY-002 or a placebo, and their health and quality of life are closely monitored throughout the trial. The STAY study is the first and only FDA-concurred clinical trial for longevity and is the largest veterinary trial in history, according to Loyal.
Regulatory Pathway and Funding
Loyal is pursuing the FDA's expanded conditional approval pathway for LOY-002. The company anticipates completing the manufacturing and safety requirements for this application by late 2025. In addition to the regulatory progress, Loyal has secured $22 million in its B-2 funding round, with investments from Valor Equity Partners and Collaborative Fund. This brings Loyal's total funding to over $150 million, which will support the development and commercialization of LOY-002, as well as the advancement of other longevity drugs in Loyal's pipeline, including LOY-001 and LOY-003.
Implications for Canine and Potentially Human Longevity
The development of LOY-002 and other canine longevity drugs has broader implications for the field of aging research. Dogs share similar environments and age-related diseases with humans, making them a valuable model for studying the aging process and testing potential interventions. If successful, these canine longevity drugs could pave the way for similar treatments in humans, potentially extending healthy lifespan and improving quality of life in old age. Celine Halioua, CEO of Loyal, hopes that the drug will help pets to live longer and healthier. She also added that the company is hoping to keep the cost below $100 a month to encourage widespread use instead of "jacking up the price and getting the millionaire dogs on the drug."
