Miracle anti-ageing drug for dogs promises to win owners more time with old pets

A new anti-ageing drug could see older dogs have their lives extended by years, according to a company pioneering the effort.

11:08 ET, Tue, Nov 28, 2023 | UPDATED: 14:32 ET, Tue, Nov 28, 2023

A woman hugging her dog.

A new anti-ageing drug for dogs could mean many more years for owners with their pets. (Image: GETTY)

An anti-ageing drug for dogs is one step closer to being approved after it cleared a major regulatory hurdle in the US.

The company Loyal For Dogs said that the first-of-its-kind drug - meant to extend the lifespan of man's best friend - had passed one of three criteria needed for the US Food and Drug Administration's approval.

The new medicine is called LOY-001 and is an injection for dogs weighing more than 40 pounds that are older than seven years old.

The jab could be given to pets by their veterinarian every three to six months if it is approved by the FDA.

CEO and founder of Loyal For Dogs Celine Halioua wrote on the company's blog that the goal was to extend the lives of larger dogs which often die at half the age of their smaller counterparts - something rare within animals of the same species.

A boxer dog looking at the camera.

The drug is meant for larger dogs, although the company has other anti-ageing treatments in the pipeline. (Image: GETTY)

She wrote: "Today, I’m so proud to announce that Loyal has earned what we believe to be the FDA’s first-ever formal acceptance that a drug can be developed and approved to extend lifespan."

As a result of selective breeding, the hormone IGF-1 is more prevalent in larger dogs - this chemical allows them to grow larger at a young age, according to Loyal For Dogs.

However, IGF-1 is also believed to shorten the health lifespans of larger breeds, something the company means to correct.

The drug, LOY-001, aims to lower levels of that hormone to keep larger dogs healthier, for longer the company says the drug could be ready as early as 2026.

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A dog on grass.

The company hopes to have its anti-ageing drug on the shelves by 2026. (Image: GETTY)

Loyal For Dogs has other miracle drugs in the pipeline - LOY-002 will aim to expand the lifespan of all but the smallest older dogs while LOY-003 will also focus on larger and giant breed dogs, like LOY-001.

On the new approval, Ms Halioua added: "This one is especially important because it marks a key step toward FDA approval based on credible, carefully reviewed data.

"This process will make it possible for us to bring our products into veterinary clinics everywhere, and lead the charge on a new approach to age-related disease and decline.

"That will ultimately mean more healthy years for the dogs we love - and that’s why we’re here."