Having a dog is one of the most incredible experiences you can have. Unfortunately, when they pass could be one of the worst. It's no secret that our furry friends don't live forever, with dogs having a 6-16 year lifespan depending on their size and breed. But there is hope that they could live longer with the help of science.
Loyal, a biotech company based in the Bay Area, is developing a pill that could help your dog live longer and feel better in their senior years. Think of it as an anti-aging supplement for dogs.
The pill is called LOY-002, and it’s made for senior pups aged 10+ who weigh at least 14 pounds. It’s beef-flavored and works by helping with the age-related stuff dogs start dealing with as they get older: sluggish metabolism, general decline, and all the sad stuff.
The big news? Earlier this year, in February FDA just gave it what’s called “Reasonable Expectation of Effectiveness” status, which basically means the data looks promising enough for Loyal to move forward in the approval process, per DMV360. It’s a huge step for dog longevity drugs, especially since this kind of medication has never been greenlit before.
The second of its kind
LOY-002 is the second anti-aging drug Loyal is developing. The first, LOY-001, is a shot made for big breeds like Great Danes, Rottweilers, and Bernese Mountain Dogs that only have an average life span of 6-10 years. It got its FDA nod in late 2023.
Then there’s LOY-003, a third option still in the works that’s basically LOY-001 but in pill form, for big dogs aged 7+ and 40 pounds or more.
The “STAY” study
To test LOY-002, Loyal launched the STAY study, which is the largest veterinary clinical trial in history. It’s tracking around 1,000 senior dogs across 70 vet clinics in the U.S. Half of the pups get the real pill; the other half get a placebo. It started in late 2023 and will run for four years.
But it’s not just about whether the dogs live longer. Vets and owners are also keeping track of whether the dogs feel better, less achy, more active, and basically still enjoying life. Because no one wants a dog that lives to 18 but is miserable from 13 on.
What’s next?
If all goes well, Loyal hopes LOY-002 will be ready for veterinarians to prescribe by late 2025. They've already raised over $150 million to make it happen, with investors like Valor Equity Partners and Collaborative Fund backing the mission.