Weight-loss drugs for pets: GLP-1 treatments tested on overweight cats
Two U.S. biotech companies, Akston Biosciences and OKAVA Pharmaceuticals, are testing experimental GLP-1 weight-loss treatments for overweight cats, marking an early attempt to bring blockbuster human obesity drugs into veterinary medicine. Akston is sponsoring a Cornell University clinical trial of a once-weekly injection, while OKAVA is testing a long-acting implant in a study called 'MEOW-1.' The trials come as 61% of U.S. cats are classified as overweight or obese, according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. Analysts say the move fits a broader shift from premium pet food to medicalization in the $200 billion U.S. pet economy, with pet-food giants also investing in longevity products. Neither product is approved yet, and top-line results are expected later this year.
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