A large-scale trial involving 1,000 large and giant breed dogs is set to begin in the next two years|Kris Kasawski|CC BY-SA 2.0
Man’s best friend may soon have a longer lifespan. San Francisco biotech company Loyal is developing an experimental drug that could give large dog breeds longer time to spend with us.
The FDA has determined the drug, LOY-001, has a “reasonable expectation of effectiveness” based on early data. It is a promising future for giant dog breeds like the Bernese mountain dogs and Great Danes, who live just six to eight years, while smaller lap dogs like the Corgis and Chihuahuas live up to two decades.
The drug targets a hormone called IGF-1, which is associated with growth and metabolism and linked to dog size. Tests on rodents and worms have boosted life expectancy.
Loyal says a large-scale trial involving 1,000 large and giant breed dogs is set to begin in 2024 or 2025. If successful, the drug could be on the market by 2026.