Latest news with #Okava
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
‘Ozempic for dogs' may be the next big thing in pet health
With the runaway success of drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro effectively helping humans slim down, researchers and biotech firms are now sniffing out a new frontier: weight-loss drugs for dogs. With up to 60 per cent of dogs in the UK estimated to be overweight or obese, the market for such drugs could be considerable. Okava, a San Francisco-based bio-pharma company which specialises in pet health, is planning to run trials for a drug designed to mimic the effects of Ozempic, with the goal to produce an implant-version for dogs, which lasts six-months at a time. According to estimates on the company's website, the current market for such a product could be worth $10bn, and they hope to have a canine weight-loss drug available as early as 2028 or 2029. In human weight-loss drugs, the active ingredient in Mounjaro is called tirzepatide, and in Ozempic, it is semaglutide. Both work in similar ways, mimicking a natural hormone called GLP-1. This hormone regulates blood sugar and appetite, ultimately leading people to feel fuller longer and reducing food intake. The challenge for biotech firms is to reproduce that effect in dogs – a species well-known for practically limitless gorging. The hope is that an Ozempic-style drug may reduce dogs' begging behaviour, which many owners find it difficult to resist rewarding. Often, lack of appetite in dogs is associated with illness, meaning developing an effective drug that doesn't appear to make pets seem unwell is a fine balance. One such drug, named Slentrol, was launched in 2007, but did not sell well, partly due to how owners' perceived their pets behaviour when on the medication. Okava's planned implant, called OKV-119, contains a GLP-1 mimic called exenatide. Michael Klotsman, Okava's chief executive, said he hoped dogs' behavioural changes from OKV-119 would be quite different from illness-related appetite loss. 'What owners should expect to see is their pet eating appropriate portions without the previous food obsession – they'll still eat regularly and show interest in meals, just without the excessive begging, scavenging or gulping behaviour,' he told The Guardian. But not all tails are wagging. Vets have suggested that in most cases, dog owners would be better off avoiding obesity in their dogs through more exercise and by restricting their pets' diets. Caroline Allen, Chief Veterinary Officer at the RSPCA told The Independent: 'A healthy diet and exercise is the best way to keep our pets happy and well but we understand that owners can sometimes struggle to manage their pets' weight. There is currently little information about proposed weight-loss implants or vaccinations for animals, and owners shouldn't rely on them becoming available. 'Before resorting to these sorts of interventions, owners should seek help from their vet about how to reduce their pet's weight with a good diet and providing lots of opportunities to exercise and play in ways that their pet will enjoy." She added: 'It may be that weight loss jabs or implants may have a role to play in future in very limited circumstances where animals are clinically unwell, but the best thing we can do is set healthy habits from the start so our pets can live the best life possible.'
The Independent
a day ago
- Health
- The Independent
‘Ozempic for dogs' may be the next big thing in pet health
With the runaway success of drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro effectively helping humans slim down, researchers and biotech firms are now sniffing out a new frontier: weight-loss drugs for dogs. With up to 60 per cent of dogs in the UK estimated to be overweight or obese, the market for such drugs could be considerable. Okava, a San Francisco-based bio-pharma company which specialises in pet health, is planning to run trials for a drug designed to mimic the effects of Ozempic, with the goal to produce an implant-version for dogs, which lasts six-months at a time. According to estimates on the company's website, the current market for such a product could be worth $10bn, and they hope to have a canine weight-loss drug available as early as 2028 or 2029. In human weight-loss drugs, the active ingredient in Mounjaro is called tirzepatide, and in Ozempic, it is semaglutide. Both work in similar ways, mimicking a natural hormone called GLP-1. This hormone regulates blood sugar and appetite, ultimately leading people to feel fuller longer and reducing food intake. The challenge for biotech firms is to reproduce that effect in dogs – a species well-known for practically limitless gorging. The hope is that an Ozempic-style drug may reduce dogs' begging behaviour, which many owners find it difficult to resist rewarding. Often, lack of appetite in dogs is associated with illness, meaning developing an effective drug that doesn't appear to make pets seem unwell is a fine balance. One such drug, named Slentrol, was launched in 2007, but did not sell well, partly due to how owners' perceived their pets behaviour when on the medication. Okava's planned implant, called OKV-119, contains a GLP-1 mimic called exenatide. Michael Klotsman, Okava's chief executive, said he hoped dogs' behavioural changes from OKV-119 would be quite different from illness-related appetite loss. 'What owners should expect to see is their pet eating appropriate portions without the previous food obsession – they'll still eat regularly and show interest in meals, just without the excessive begging, scavenging or gulping behaviour,' he told The Guardian. But not all tails are wagging. Vets have suggested that in most cases, dog owners would be better off avoiding obesity in their dogs through more exercise and by restricting their pets' diets. Caroline Allen, Chief Veterinary Officer at the RSPCA told The Independent: 'A healthy diet and exercise is the best way to keep our pets happy and well but we understand that owners can sometimes struggle to manage their pets' weight. There is currently little information about proposed weight-loss implants or vaccinations for animals, and owners shouldn't rely on them becoming available. 'Before resorting to these sorts of interventions, owners should seek help from their vet about how to reduce their pet's weight with a good diet and providing lots of opportunities to exercise and play in ways that their pet will enjoy." She added: 'It may be that weight loss jabs or implants may have a role to play in future in very limited circumstances where animals are clinically unwell, but the best thing we can do is set healthy habits from the start so our pets can live the best life possible.'
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Ozempic for DOGS: Scientists are testing an implant for fat pooches that mimics weight-loss drugs taken by humans
Weight-loss drugs like Ozempic have already helped hundreds of thousands of humans to slim down. Now, scientists want to develop drugs that could help dogs ditch their puppy fat. One biotech firm has now announced trials for an implant that mimics the effects of Ozempic's active ingredient in dogs. Okava, one of the companies involved in the trial, says their doggy-Ozempic could be on the market as soon as 2028. The drugs Ozempic and Wegovy contain a chemical called semaglutide, which is a class of medication known as a 'GLP-1 receptor agonist'. This means that it mimics the GLP-1 hormone in our bodies and suppresses the appetite by controlling blood sugar levels, helping people lose weight. While these exact chemicals don't work in dogs, biotech firms are looking to find alternatives which reproduce the same effects, known as 'GLP-1 mimics'. Scientists say these drugs could help prevent pooches' begging behaviour, which owners find so hard to resist. Just like in humans, obesity in pets can lead to a range of related health conditions and exacerbate underlying illnesses. For example, overweight dogs are at a higher risk of arthritis, heart disease, breathing issues, and cancer. However, obesity among dogs is at what some vets consider 'crisis' levels, with over half of all dogs being considered overweight according to research by the trade body UK Pet Food. In order to tackle this growing problem, some biotech firms are now looking for potential chemical interventions. Okava has partnered with the biotech firm Vivani Medical to produce a long-lasting implant that could help both dogs and cats lose weight. Roughly the size of a standard tracking chip, the implant would be delivered once every six months and sit below the skin to release a steady supply of weight-loss drugs. Instead of using semaglutide, this implant would use an alternative GLP-1 mimic called OKV-119, which has been found to be safe in cats. The company is currently planning trials in dogs and plans to release the implant commercially sometime in either 2028 or 2029. According to the company, this should reduce the food-obsessive behaviours that lead to humans overfeeding their pets. For some vets and owners, this treatment could be an extremely valuable option to help tackle persistent obesity in dogs. Professor Alex German, a dog obesity expert from the University of Liverpool, told Daily Mail: 'Having an alternative approach, such as drugs, could be useful for clinicians on the ground to have an extra option.' Although feeding habits and training play a big role in putting on excess weight, Dr German says that obesity is a far more complex condition than most people realise. Dr German says that his clinic constantly deals with pet owners who are 'desperate to help their pets, but they face a major challenge.' The current approach to treating pet obesity involves a 'therapeutic diet' which restricts calorie intake while keeping nutrient levels appropriate. However, Dr German says that this is a 'massive years-long, often life-long challenge' that doesn't always work for every dog. 'There's a massive genetic component that drives the animal to be hungry all the time,' says Dr German. If GLP-1 mimics are proven to be effective, they could be a useful alternative or supplement to therapeutic diets. However, Dr German warns that these treatments could cause behavioural side-effects that some users might not like. A weight-loss drug for dogs named Slentrol was launched in 2007, which worked by suppressing the appetite. However, the drug failed to perform well on the market and was eventually discontinued, partially because owners didn't like how their dogs began to act. Dr German says: 'Normally, the dog would be waiting at the door to greet them; delighted, happy, wagging their tail. 'But, because they weren't hungry, some of that behaviour and interaction with the owner changed - the suppression of the appetite was something that was seen as a negative by the owners.' If GLP-1 mimics are going to be successful this time around, Dr German says owners will likely need counselling and support to ensure they understand any potential behaviour changes. However, some vets are not convinced that GLP-1 mimics are necessary for treating obesity in pets, even if the drugs do work. Dogs often become obese due to what vets call 'pester power', meaning they are better at begging for food than their owners are at saying no. Combined with insufficient exercise, old age, or neutering, pets can quickly gain excess weight. That means if your pooch is starting to pile on the pounds, a stricter diet and more exercise are the best place to start. Dr Helen Zomer, of the University of Florida, told Daily Mail: 'We don't have definitive answers whether it would be a good solution or potential consequences. 'Controlled caloric intake through balanced diets and physical activity remains the best solution right now.' Overweight people are more than twice as likely to have overweight dogs, a 2019 study found. The team of Danish study authors said this is at least partly because they are guilty of feeding their pets fattening treats. Writing in their study the authors claim this lends credence to the saying 'like owner, like dog'. 'The prevalence of heavy or obese dogs is more than twice as large among overweight or obese owners (35 per cent) than among owners who are slim or of a normal weight (14 per cent),' the researchers from the University of Copenhagen said. Of the 268 dogs studied, 20 per cent were found to be overweight. Average–weight owners tend to use treats for training purposes while overweight owners prefer to provide treats far more often. The study's main author, Charlotte Bjornvad, said: 'For example, when a person is relaxing on the couch and shares the last bites of a sandwich or a cookie with their dog.'
Times
a day ago
- Health
- Times
Want to see less of your labrador? A doggy ‘fat jab' is coming
If you have ever been appalled at the insatiable appetite of your labrador, or watched your barbecue disappear into your beagle, it may come as welcome news that companies are racing to adapt fat-jab technologies for dogs. The biotech firm Okava said that pets could be receiving jabs as soon as 2028 as it announced it was beginning trials for an implant that reproduces the effect of medications such as Ozempic and Mounjaro. Both jabs contain the active ingredient GLP-1, a naturally occurring hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels by stimulating insulin release and suppressing glucagon secretion. In effect, it reduces the appetite of the user. Okava said it was hoping that the same science could be used to suppress the appetite of some dog breeds and prevent them from piling on the pounds. The medication would probably be in the form of an implant, however, rather than a jab. The rival firm Vivani Medical is also researching a similar product, and the pet food maker Better Choice last year bought Aimia Pet Healthco with the aim of creating weight loss medications supplemented by its protein-based products. Pet weight remains a problem for many owners. According to a 2024 report by the trade body UK Pet Food, 50 per cent of dogs and 43 per cent of cats are overweight. Excess weight due to overfeeding, age, neutering or lack of activity can shorten the lifespan of pets and reduce their quality of life. Being overweight can reduce the lifespan of dogs DANNY LAWSON/PA Though experts recommend discipline as the first approach to helping a four-legged friend lose weight — including increased exercise and low-calorie diets — GLP-1 drugs may have their uses, particularly if a pet is well-versed in pestering for more food. • Dinner, dogsitter and a show: the late night West End canine carers There remains some concern that owners may struggle to spot that their pet is ill if they have a weight loss implant, as a dog's appetite remains a good marker in keeping a check on their health. Michael Klotsman, the chief executive of Okava, said the firm was developing a long-acting implant called OKV-119 that contains a GLP-1 mimic called exenatide. He said the behavioural changes in pets from OKV-119 would be different to those caused by compared with illness. 'What owners should expect to see is their pet eating appropriate portions without the previous food obsession — they'll still eat regularly and show interest in meals, just without the excessive begging, scavenging or gulping behaviour,' he told The Guardian. Klotsman said: 'OKV-119 represents an additional tool for veterinarians treating pets where conventional approaches have been insufficient, similar to how GLP-1 therapies have provided new hope for human patients struggling with obesity despite their best efforts with diet and exercise.'
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Vivani Medical and Okava Expand Collaboration to Develop OKV-119 for Dogs, Targeting Metabolic Health and Longevity
Over half of all dogs in the United States today are overweight or obese, placing them at increased risk for chronic diseases, metabolic decline and shortened lifespans ALAMEDA, Calif. and SAN FRANCISCO, April 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vivani Medical, Inc. (NASDAQ: VANI) ("Vivani" or the "Company"), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing miniature, ultra long-acting drug implants, and Okava Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Okava"), a clinical-stage company focused on diseases of aging in dogs and cats, today announced an expansion of their collaboration to include dogs in the development of OKV-119, a long-acting GLP-1 therapy for weight management, diabetes and other cardiometabolic conditions. Vivani and Okava initiated their collaboration in 2019, with a focus on developing OKV-119 for cardiometabolic conditions in cats. OKV-119 leverages Vivani's proprietary NanoPortal™ technology, which provides smooth and steady delivery of therapeutic molecules, including GLP-1 receptor agonists, over extended periods from a single implant. According to Okava, dosing every six months or longer supports a 'One-and-Done' approach between office visits consistent with the product profile of Vivani's NPM-115, an ultra long-acting GLP-1 implant in clinical stage development to improve medication adherence and tolerability for the treatment of chronic weight management in humans. "Caloric restriction, or fasting, is one of the most well-established interventions for extending the lifespan and improving metabolic health in dogs," said Okava CEO Michael Klotsman, PhD, MBA. "But it is also one of the hardest to maintain. OKV-119 mimics many of the physiological effects of fasting—improved insulin sensitivity, reduced fat mass and more efficient energy metabolism—without requiring significant changes in feeding routines or disrupting the human-animal bond that often centers around food." Over half of all dogs in the United States today are overweight or obese, placing them at increased risk for chronic disease, metabolic decline and shortened lifespans. Similar to the changes humans face as they grow older, aging dogs experience declines in metabolic fitness, leading to weight gain, insulin resistance and loss of muscle mass. Research shows that leaner dogs can live more than two years longer than their heavier counterparts. By restoring and maintaining a healthy metabolism through a single, long-acting dose, OKV-119 has the potential to enhance quality of life, promote healthy aging and become the most impactful life-extending therapy available for dogs. "This collaboration aligns with Vivani's broader mission to develop innovative medicines that will revolutionize the treatment of chronic diseases by leveraging proprietary drug delivery technologies," said Vivani CEO Adam Mendelsohn, PhD. "This expanded partnership with Okava reflects our shared confidence in the potential of NanoPortal technology to serve a broad array of prospective beneficiaries in the management of metabolic disease. The structure of this expanded partnership minimizes costs and risks for Vivani while integrating upside potential for Vivani shareholders through future milestone payments and royalties. Together with Okava, we are broadening the reach of our technology, meeting unmet needs in veterinary medicine while positioning Vivani to capture future value within an industry segment experiencing continued and unprecedented growth." Financial terms of the expanded agreement were not disclosed. About Vivani Medical, Inc. Leveraging its proprietary NanoPortal platform, Vivani develops therapeutic implants designed to deliver drug molecules steadily over extended periods of time with the goal of guaranteeing adherence, and potentially to improve patient tolerance to their medication. Vivani's lead programs, NPM-139 (semaglutide implant) and NPM-115 (exenatide implant), are miniature, subdermal GLP-1 implants under development for chronic weight management in obese or overweight individuals designed for once or twice-yearly administration. Vivani's emerging pipeline also includes NPM-119, which refers to the Company's six-month, subdermal, GLP-1 (exenatide implant) under development for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Development of a semaglutide implant for the treatment of type 2 diabetes is also under consideration. These NanoPortal implants are designed to provide patients with the opportunity to experience the full potential benefit of their medication by avoiding the challenges associated with the daily or weekly administration of oral and injectable medications. Medication non-adherence occurs when patients do not take their medication as prescribed. This affects an alarming number of patients, approximately 50%, including those taking daily pills. Medication non-adherence, which contributes to more than $500 billion in annual avoidable healthcare costs and 125,000 potentially preventable deaths annually in the U.S. alone, is a primary and daunting reason why obese or overweight patients, and patients taking type 2 diabetes or other chronic disease treatments, face significant challenges in achieving positive real-world effectiveness. While the current GLP-1 landscape includes over 50 new molecular entities under clinical stage development, Vivani remains confident that its highly differentiated portfolio of miniature, ultra long-acting GLP-1 implants have the potential to provide an attractive therapeutic option for patients, prescribers and payers. For more information, please visit: About Okava Pharmaceuticals, Inc. OKAVA is a clinical-stage research and development company that develops new treatment options for dogs and cats suffering from chronic diseases of aging. OKAVA is building a portfolio of products to transform and humanize standards of care in veterinary medicine. By harnessing human technologies for the treatment of common diseases in household pets, the company has the potential of increasing the lifespans of dogs and cats by an average of 1 to 3 years. OKAVA is a private company headquartered in San Francisco, California. For more information, see Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the 'safe harbor' provisions of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: 'target,' 'future,' 'believe,' 'expect,' 'will,' 'may,' 'anticipate,' 'estimate,' 'would,' 'positioned,' and other similar expressions that in this press release, including statements regarding Vivani's business, products in development, including the therapeutic potential thereof, the planned development therefor, the completion of the ongoing clinical trial and reporting of trial results, Vivani's emerging development plans for its products, Vivani's collaboration agreement with Okava, and Vivani's technology, strategy, cash position and financial runway. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on Vivani's current beliefs, expectations, and assumptions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of Vivani's control. Actual results and outcomes may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, risks related to the development and commercialization of Vivani's products; delays and changes in the development of Vivani's products, including as a result of applicable laws, regulations and guidelines, potential delays in submitting and receiving regulatory clearance or approval to conduct Vivani's development activities; risks related to the initiation, enrollment and conduct of Vivani's planned clinical trials and the results therefrom; Vivani's history of losses and Vivani's ability to access additional capital or otherwise fund Vivani's business; market conditions and the ability of Cortigent to complete its intended spin-off from the Company. There may be additional risks that the Company considers immaterial, or which are unknown. A further list and description of risks and uncertainties can be found in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC filed on March 31, 2025, as updated by the Company's subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Any forward-looking statement made by Vivani in this press release is based only on information currently available to the Company and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of added information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by law. Vivani Contacts: Company Contact:Donald DwyerChief Business Officerinfo@ 506-8462 Investor Relations Contact:Jami TaylorInvestor Relations Advisorinvestors@ 506-8462 Media Contact:Sean LeousICR 866-4012 Okava Contacts: Investor Relations Contact:Jami TaylorInvestor Relations Advisorpr@ 506-8462
