Cat Owners Explore GLP-1s as Weight-loss Option, Following Human Trend
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC - As the human demand for drugs like ozempic and Wegovy surges, veterinary medicine is now seeing a parallel interest in GLP-1 agonists for overweight cats. Several companies are actively developing and testing thes medications, designed to mimic the effects of fasting – improved insulin sensitivity, reduced fat mass, and more efficient energy metabolism – without altering feeding routines.
The rising prevalence of feline obesity, linked to a host of health problems, is driving the push for new treatment options. Approximately 60% of cats in the U.S.are considered overweight or obese, according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. GLP-1 agonists offer a perhaps impactful solution, but are still undergoing rigorous testing to ensure safety and efficacy in animals.
Okava, a biotechnology company, is currently conducting a clinical trial for its GLP-1 candidate, OKV-119, under an FDA-CVM Investigational New Animal Drug (INAD) application. “OKV-119 is designed to mimic 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 frequently enough centers around food,” said Okava CEO, Dr. Chad Klotsman. the company believes OKV-119 “has the potential to become the most impactful life-extending therapy available for cats.” Initial proof-of-concept studies have shown weight loss and no implant site reactions.
Okava isn’t alone in this pursuit. Akston Bio recently announced a clinical trial testing its cat GLP-1 drug on at least 70 cats at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Akston’s formulation is a weekly injection, and the company is also exploring GLP-1 applications for dogs.