Is living forever suddenly a possibility? A new drug by the name of LOY-002 is undergoing clinical trials. However, this drug is not for humans. This “immortality” pill is a beef flavored tablet meant for dogs, intended to target metabolic dysfunction and increase their lifespan by years. It was created by the company Loyal, based in San Francisco. 

The pill has gone through studies, achieving FDA approval in February, and is now getting ready for its Expanded Conditional Approval (XCA) by the end of 2025. Although gaining its first step of approval in determining if Loyal’s data truly shows an impact to dog’s health, the company is now working on its STAY study. This study dosed over 1,000 dogs around the world, taking place over four years, being the first and only FDA concurred trial for longevity. Meanwhile, Loyal has been fundraising for almost $22M to fund its studies and bring this product to shelves soon. 

Celine Halioua founded Loyal in 2019 at the age of 24, raising over $125 million over the years. It is a biotech startup whose purpose has always been to reverse the effects of aging in dogs and find a safe way to allow them to live longer and combat diseases. 

So, how exactly will it increase a dog’s lifespan? The drug aims to reduce an insulin-like growth factor that drives cell growth and notably reduces the lifespan of large dogs, in which they create a different version of the drug, LOY-001, marketed towards large dogs. It aims to improve metabolic health to reduce risk of age associated diseases in dogs. As for LOY-002, the drug is intended for senior dogs of any size, more to reverse the effects of aging in hopes of allowing the dog to live longer. The company is currently keeping blood and saliva samples of all patients they have dosed, watching for long term results but not quite certain to what extent  “dog days” will increase . 

As for public opinion, a few dog lovers at Wilcox are skeptical of this product. Freshman Erin Hoagland shares, “I want my dog to live longer but I also want to make sure they have a good quality of life,” expressing her concern that although the drug targets diseases, dogs still may be in pain from their old age. She also points out possible side effects and factors that could be taken into consideration before believing this product is a holy grail. 

Although there is skepticism in the community, there is no doubt that this is a stepping stone to important discoveries, and may even be the future of canine health. Knowing our furry friends won’t be around forever is a depressing thought, so gaining some years with them certainly sounds like a positive. Loyal is dedicated to bringing their product to the market, investing in many clinical trials to ensure these dogs are safe. Halioua expresses her passion for dogs, sharing “Everything we do is in service of helping dogs live longer, healthier lives.”