In the early 1990s, a giant shaggy schlub named Beethoven of St. Bernard won the hearts of millions of children with a pair of theatrical films, titled “Beethoven” (1992) and “Beethoven II” (1993). Sadly, the real-life Beethoven died shortly after the filming of the sequel, thus inevitably raising awareness of how Saint Bernards and other large breed dogs such as Great Danes, Newfoundlands and Mastiffs are only 7 Reduces life expectancy by up to 10 years. In contrast, shorter dog breeds (if healthy) can survive almost twice as long.
“We hope to one day be able to translate what we’re learning about longevity in dogs to similar treatments for humans.”
Yet what if there was a way to extend the lifespan of this great breed of dog? A company aims to do just that. San Francisco-based startup Faithful is a clinical-stage veterinary drug company that recently made headlines for working to receive conditional approval for a new drug from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). (Yes, the same government agency responsible for regulating human drugs does the same for animals.) The company is part of Cellular Longevity, a biotech company that develops drugs aimed not only at extending the lives of fish, But also one day humans.
At the same time, Faithful is applying to the FDA for approval of three drugs: LOY-001, LOY-002 and LOY-003. The company has not yet released the actual chemical names of these drugs and has not responded to Salon’s inquiry as to what they are. But based on what they shared, LOY-001 appears to reduce a growth-promoting hormone in dogs called IGF-1, and in the process increases the life expectancy of these animals. If it’s available by the 2026 Loyalty goal, dogs administered LOY-001 will get the shot every three to six months once they reach seven years of age and weigh more than 40 pounds.
It has already been established that IGF-1 levels are associated with longevity and longevity in mice, roundworms and fruit flies. Because large dogs often have 28 times more IGF-1 than small dogs, it makes sense that LOY-001 could extend the life expectancy of large breeds through the same principles that have been applied to other animals. , although all the evidence is inconclusive. .
“Anyone who owns a large-breed dog is faced with this terrible calculation of their dog’s low life expectancy,” Celine Haleiova, founder and CEO of Loyalty, told Salon via email. “We don’t accept that. There is [25 million] “Large breed dogs in the United States alone – that’s 25 million dogs that we can help live longer and have a better quality of life.”
As animal research is involved, a study like this can raise ethical concerns, according to Cornell University professor Adam Boyko, who runs the Canine Genetics Laboratory and has partnered with Embark Veterinary, a dog DNA testing company. .
“The main ethical concern I see here is to ensure that experimental drugs are used judiciously with a reasonable expectation of a positive cost-benefit to the dogs enrolled in the study,” Boyko said. In addition to protecting the dogs in their study, pet dogs that receive these initial shots should also be protected — meaning owners should be informed that the medication is being tested and updated as new information comes out.
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“The LOY-001 drug focuses on reversing the damage introduced by humans through years and years of selective breeding.”
“Experimental medicine and clinical trials are common in animals, so I don’t think there’s any concern with doing the medicine wisely and correctly, but ensuring low risk is key because it’s given to healthy dogs. is happening.” Boyko explained he also saw that — because drugs like LOY-001 can target human aging as well as dog aging — dogs would be at risk of exploitation unless drug companies and the medical community were transparent. to implement
“One can see a company potentially continuing to market a drug that has shown some promise in reversing the aging clock but has also shown unacceptable risks to some dogs because of potential Human therapies are interested in generating more information for better information.” Boyko argued. “Thus, transparency is really key so owners can make informed decisions about what’s best for their dog.”
When Salon asked Hellova about the ethical concerns that arise in drug trials such as those with LOY-001, she replied that Loyalist prioritizes safety and efficacy.
“We all have a responsibility to do right by the dogs – we feed them and shelter them and take care of their health,” Hellova explained. “We give them medicine when they’re sick. Our products follow that same principle – supporting dogs’ quality of life in their middle years so they can stay healthy as they age and, as a result, live longer and better lives.” “
Helluva also pointed out that the company’s mission is actually turning dogs into a form of human-caused cruelty.
“The LOY-001 drug focuses on reversing the damage introduced by humans over years and years of selective breeding,” Haliova pointed out. “It’s obviously beneficial for dogs.”
At the same time, Haleiwa acknowledged that Boyko’s view of LOY-001’s effects on human aging is correct. That said, Haleiwa emphasized that the company’s priority is to help large breed dogs. Her additional observation was, “It is also true that dogs are the best model for aging in humans. We live in the same environment and live the same way. We suffer from age-related diseases for the same reasons. “That’s why we hope to one day be able to translate what we’re learning about longevity in dogs into similar treatments for humans.”
The long-term effects of LOY-001 should not only benefit humans. After all, if the lifespan of large breed dogs and humans can be extended by medicine, why can’t the lifespan of dogs that are not related to large breeds be extended?
“Yes — we’re already working on that drug,” Helluva told Salon. “We currently have three drugs in development. LOY-001 and LOY-003 focus on large breed dogs. And our drug LOY-002 is designed for all large dogs but small breeds.”
Boyko shared Helluva’s optimism about dogs that aren’t part of the larger breeds benefiting from research conducted by companies like Loyalty.
“While LOY-001 focuses on insulin-like growth factor signaling (which is a key driver of body size and reduces longevity in large breed dogs), other anti-aging drugs target different pathways and It’s likely to work on all dogs,” Boyko told Salon. “Some tests of this drug in animals in the laboratory have been effective so there is reason to believe that it will also be successful if properly administered to animals and even humans.”
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