Latest news with #LOY-001
New York Post
5 days ago
- Health
- New York Post
New longevity drug for dogs could extend your pet's life — and pave the way for humans to live longer too
Sit, stay… live longer? Research shows that owning a dog can help humans live longer, healthier lives. Now, a US biotech company wants to return the favor with anti-aging drugs designed to extend the lifespan of your canine companion. 'The longevity space is crowded right now, and for good reason,' Celine Halioua, founder and CEO of Loyal, told The Post. 'We all want to figure out how to get more happy, healthy years for our loved ones —especially the furry ones.' 6 Celine Halioua is leading the push to develop drugs that extend the lives of dogs. X/@loyalfordogs Before launching Loyal in 2019, Halioua worked on treatments for neurodegenerative diseases in humans — conditions that, much like aging in dogs, have no true preventive medicine. 'This combination of experience sparked my mission to develop the first drug approved for healthy lifespan extension,' she said. Good boys, great science Loyal has three longevity drugs in the pipeline, including two that specifically target bigger breeds, which typically have much shorter lifespans. While small dogs like Chihuahuas can live for 18 years or longer, giant breeds such as Great Danes would be lucky to make it to ten. That's where LOY-001 and LOY-003 come in. These drugs target dogs age seven and older that weigh at least 40 pounds. 6 Loyal's drugs aim to increase and quality of life for senior dogs. X/Celine Halioua They work by reducing levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), a hormone that fuels cell growth. Scientists believe that high levels of IGF-1 shorten the lifespan of large dogs, which can have up to 28 times more of the hormone than smaller breeds. One version, LOY-001, is an injectable given a few times a year at the vet. The other, LOY-003, is a daily chewable pill. Both drugs are currently in pilot studies, and Loyal is eyeing conditional FDA approval by 2027. Loyal's third longevity drug, LOY-002, is even further along in development. The treatment targets senior dogs age 10 and up that weigh at least 14 pounds. It's currently being tested in a large-scale clinical trial involving more than 1,200 dogs across 70 clinics, making it one of the biggest studies in veterinary history, according to Halioua. 6 Small dogs tend to have a longer lifespan than larger breeds. X/Celine Halioua The drug works by targeting metabolism — the complex system of chemical reactions that powers essential functions like breaking down food, producing energy and repairing cells. As metabolism slows with age, it can lead to insulin resistance and trigger a range of health issues in both humans and dogs, including cognitive decline, osteoarthritis and cancer. 'Improving metabolic health is one of the most well-validated pathways for extending both lifespan and healthspan,' Halioua said. 'Research [shows] it can improve health and reduce the risk of age-related diseases across species — from mice to humans,' she added. So far, things are looking paws-itive. A pilot study of 48 dogs showed no adverse effects after three months of LOY‑002. 6 Both LOY-002 and LOY-003 are administered via a daily pill. X/Celine Halioua Loyal previously told The Guardian it's hoping the drug could add at least one extra year to a dog's life — and they'll be healthier during that time, too. Once it's approved, Halioua hopes LOY‑002 will become a common preventive tool, like flea and tick medication. 'We expect all dogs to benefit from its ability to protect against, and even reverse, some of the harmful effects of metabolic dysfunction,' she said. Loyal anticipates that the drug will receive conditional approval by the FDA in 2026. 6 Loyal is aiming to enroll 1,300 dogs in it's LOY-002 study. X/Celine Halioua But the dogs aren't the only ones who could benefit. 'We're on track to develop the first-ever FDA-approved drug for longevity — for any species,' Halioua said. 'Dogs share our environments and develop remarkably similar age-related diseases at similar stages of life, making them valuable models for human health and scientific research,' she added. Dogs make us healthier, too Halioua's lifelong love of animals runs deep. 'I've always been surrounded by animals — growing up, my family had 15 pets and rehabilitated wild animals,' she said. 'My Rottweiler, Della, is always by my side and is a major influence on the work I do.' It turns out dogs don't just bring love — they could bring health benefits as well. Studies show that dogs can ease loneliness, stress and anxiety. One even found that just 10 minutes of petting a pooch can significantly reduce levels of cortisol, the body's main stress hormone. 6 Dogs are known for their unconditional love and companionship. yurakrasil – Even locking eyes with your dog gives your brain a boost. A 2009 Japanese study found that staring into their eyes raises oxytocin — the 'love hormone' linked to bonding and happiness. Dogs might even help you live longer. A sweeping review of research from 1950 to 2019 found that dog owners consistently have a lower risk of death compared to those without pets. It's no accident. Research shows that dog owners tend to have lower blood pressure, cholesterol and a reduced risk of heart disease. Plus, they get more exercise, which builds muscle, strengthen bones and joints and keeps weight in check. That's no coincidence. Dog owners tend to have lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and less risk of heart disease. Plus, they're more active — walking their dogs regularly strengthens muscles, bones and joints, and helps keep weight in check. Some research even links dog ownership to bigger brains and sharper thinking, with faster processing speed and better memory. And here's the kicker: a major study found owning a dog lowers dementia risk — a benefit not shared by cat owners.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Memphis Man's Canoodling Goes Wrong After Getting Shot By His Dog
One Memphis man's morning took a bizarre and painful turn when he claimed his dog accidentally shot him while in bed. While dogs are known for their loyalty, this bizarre incident shows that even man's best friend can have an off day, especially when firearms are involved. In another story about dogs, science is working on ways to ensure our furry friends stick around longer. In 2023, a groundbreaking drug designed to extend canine lifespans hit a major milestone with FDA approval. The peculiar incident unfolded just before 4 a.m. on Whitney Avenue when police responded to reports of an accidental shooting. Jerald Kirkwood, the victim, told officers that he was lying in bed with a female companion when his 1-year-old pit bull, Oreo, suddenly jumped onto the bed. In a freak accident, the dog allegedly got his paw stuck in the trigger guard of a firearm, causing it to discharge. The bullet grazed Kirkwood's left thigh, leaving him with a non-life-threatening injury. WREG reports that Kirkwood was transported to Regional One in non-critical condition. Meanwhile, a friend of the victim insisted that Oreo is a friendly dog and that the whole situation was nothing more than an unfortunate mishap. Adding another twist to the already strange case, Kirkwood's female companion reportedly fled the scene after the shooting, taking the gun with her. Despite the risks of pet ownership, dog lovers may soon have a way to extend their furry companions' lives as a groundbreaking anti-aging drug moves closer to approval. Loyal, a biotech company focused on extending pet lifespans, announced in 2023 that its conditional approval application for LOY-001 has passed a significant regulatory milestone with the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine. The Blast reported that the FDA's conditional approval was based on data provided by Loyal, which demonstrated the drug's ability to lower levels of IGF-1, a key biomarker linked to aging, and its potential to improve functional outcomes in dogs. Though still in development at the time, LOY-001 is designed specifically for large breeds, which tend to have shorter lifespans than smaller dogs. The new drug, designed for healthy dogs aged seven and older who weigh over 40 pounds, would be administered by veterinarians every three to six months. While it has yet to undergo clinical trials, its approval also marks a significant milestone, signaling the FDA's first potential endorsement of a longevity drug. Loyal, the biotech company behind the drug, sees this as a step toward revolutionizing pet health. Speaking on the achievement, CEO Celine Haliou told Business Wire: "Loyal was founded with the ambitious goal of developing the first drugs to extend healthy lifespan in dogs. This milestone is the result of years of careful work by the team. We'll continue to work just as diligently to bring this and our other longevity programs through to FDA approval." The groundbreaking drug is making waves in the veterinary world, with industry experts hailing it as a historic achievement. A respected animal health figure and seasoned drug development expert, Linda Rhodes, praised the milestone. In her words: "Loyal's achievement is impressive. Developing a treatment that will increase longevity by reducing age-associated disease is a new indication. No drug has ever been approved with such a claim, and pioneering a new indication through regulatory agencies requires enormous rigor and persistence. Being the first to bring a treatment for such a challenging indication will be truly historic." The recognition follows years of dedicated research and a significant financial boost. Loyal reportedly secured $27 million in a Series A funding round led by Khosla Ventures. The investment also saw contributions from Box Group, First Round Capital, The Longevity Fund, Collaborative Fund, and Lachy Groom, many of whom had previously backed Loyal's $11 million seed round in 2020. As dog owners celebrated the potential breakthrough, another pressing concern surfaced: a highly contagious and potentially fatal illness sweeping through the canine community. Veterinarians issued urgent warnings about the unidentified respiratory disease affecting pets. They noted that affected dogs displayed alarming symptoms, including persistent coughing, nasal or eye discharge, and lethargy. Amanda Cavanagh, head of the urgent care service at Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, described the shift in symptoms, stating, "Instead of that dry cough where the dog felt good, it was now this wet cough where the dog felt sick." The dog shooting incident is a strange reminder that pet ownership while rewarding, can come with some genuinely unexpected risks.
