In the United States, clinical tests have commenced for the promising drug Loy-002, which is aimed at extending the lifespans of aging medium and large breed dogs. This study is a natural continuation of the successful development of the Loy-001 drug for large breed dogs.
Typically, large breed dogs such as Danish dogs and Newfoundlands have a lifespan of around 7-8 years, while small breeds like Chihuahuas or miniature poodles can live up to 20 years. The shorter lifespan of large breeds is primarily due to a higher level of the IGF-1 hormone that stimulates cell growth and contributes to the aging process. Large breeds have a hormone level that is 28 times higher than that of small breeds.
Loy-001, developed by Loyal for large breed dogs, received FDA approval in November 2023 for its ability to decrease the activity of IGF-1. This offers promising prospects for increasing the length of a healthy life for large breeds. The drug is expected to become available in the market by 2026.
Now, the testing phase for Loy-002 has commenced. This drug, in the form of daily tablets, is specifically designed for medium and large breed dogs. The first participant in the trial is an 11-year-old dog named Bu, owned by Deb Hannah. Despite Bu’s age, he remains highly active, which led Hannah to include him in the test program. She believes that participating in the study can not only benefit Bu, but also other aging dogs.
The study, known as STAY, involves 55 veterinary clinics nationwide and over 1000 dogs of various breeds, ages, and health conditions. To participate, dogs must be over 10 years old and weigh more than 6.4 kg. The trial follows a double-blind testing protocol, where only half of the participants receive the actual drug. Dog owners must be willing to cooperate for a duration of four years.
Similar to the case with Loy-001, Loyal aims to obtain conditional approval from the FDA for Loy-002. This type of approval would enable early access to the market for new medications based on encouraging safety and potential efficacy results.