Inspired by "Ozempic," pharmaceutical companies have entered the race to develop analogues for animals

According to recent estimates, about 60% of dogs and cats in the US are overweight, and in large Chinese cities, every third cat is classified as obese. Obesity provokes the development of diabetes, which is very difficult to treat in animals: owners have to give insulin injections twice a day.

This is such a labor-intensive and expensive process that many pets are euthanized within a year of diagnosis. GLP-1 drugs can fundamentally change this situation, as they mimic a hormone that stimulates insulin production, creates a feeling of fullness, and slows down digestion.

Today, the main players in this race are American and Chinese biotechnology giants, offering various technological solutions.

As reported by The New York Times, the American company Okava Pharmaceuticals officially launched the MEOW-1 pilot study, offering an innovative approach: instead of weekly injections, cats are fitted with small subcutaneous implants. These microchip-sized capsules slowly release medication over six months.

The biotechnology company ProLynx also occupies its niche, having developed a long-acting GLP-1 drug that has already demonstrated its high potential in treating diabetes in cats. Although ProLynx's main activity is focused on human medicine, the company is now actively seeking a partner in the veterinary industry for further promotion of the drug. The company's management assures that their drug is fully ready for market release.

In parallel with American scientists, the Chinese biotechnology sector is also showing activity. As writes South China Morning Post, a division of Fosun Pharma has entered into a large-scale licensing agreement with Pfizer worth $2.1 billion for joint work on an experimental weight-loss drug.

At the same time, China's Huadong Medicine has received official notification from regulators regarding the acceptance of applications for registration of a veterinary drug for weight control in adult cats.

How much might these drugs be in demand?

One of the key challenges on the path to widespread adoption of these drugs is their cost. Currently, when some veterinarians use 'human' versions of the drugs off-label, owners have to pay hundreds of dollars per month — the same amount people without insurance pay.

Okava Pharmaceuticals sets an ambitious goal to reduce the cost of the veterinary drug to $100 per month or even less. The company is confident that a market for such a product exists, as many pet owners already spend significantly larger sums on premium feeds and medical care. In China, according to experts, the cost of similar domestic drugs will be 2-3 times lower.

Павялічыць

However, success in veterinary medicine depends not only on economics but also on the psychology of owners. Experts note that for many people, feeding is the main way to interact with a pet and show affection.

The history of Pfizer's Slentrol drug, which was discontinued, showed that owners often don't want to see their beloved pets indifferent to food. If a cat doesn't run to its bowl with the same enthusiasm, owners perceive this as a loss of the pet's joy of life. Additionally, there is still a stereotype in society that a chubby cat is 'cute,' not a medical problem.

In addition, some pet owners fear possible side effects from weight-loss drugs.

Nevertheless, pharmaceutical companies are optimistic and expanding their research horizons. Scientists from Okava Pharmaceuticals plan to study the effectiveness of their drug in dogs and for various other diseases, including diabetes and chronic kidney disease. American studies are expected to conclude next summer, which could lead to approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration within the next two years. Meanwhile, Chinese companies may offer their solutions to the world even sooner.

According to experts, we are at the beginning of a journey that could completely reshape our ideas about pet health care.

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