Khaberni - Slimming injections have revolutionized obesity treatment in humans, and researchers are now looking to apply the same technology to household cats.
Okava Pharmaceuticals, based in San Francisco, announced the administration of a new weight loss treatment's first dose to a cat, as part of the first stage of the MEOW-1 weight management trial.
The company aims to pave the way for the use of Ozembik-like medications for cats through this trial.
The new drug, named OKV-119, is based on a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, the same active ingredient in human medications like Ozembik and Wegovy, which reduces appetite and stimulates weight loss. However, the main difference lies in the method of administration for cats: instead of weekly injections as in humans, the implant is placed under the skin to provide a steady dose for up to six months.
The MEOW-1 trial includes more than 50 cats, where the implant will be placed in two-thirds of them, and weight loss will be monitored for three months, with the possibility of extending participation for an additional similar period. If the drug proves effective, Okava plans to launch a broader trial next year and apply for approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, meaning cats could begin receiving treatment around 2028 or 2029.
Experts indicate that current cat obesity treatments rely on "therapeutic diets," which include reducing calories and increasing physical activity, but they are often difficult to implement and require long-term commitment, as diets fail due to what veterinarians call "the power of pleading," meaning cats' ability to beg for food often exceeds their owners' ability to refuse.
Dr. Michael Klotsman, CEO of Okava, says, "Calorie restriction or fasting are among the most effective ways to extend cats' lifespans and improve their metabolic health, but they are among the hardest to implement. OKV-119 is designed to simulate the physiological effects of fasting without the need for significant dietary changes or disrupting the human-animal bond, which often centers around food."
In a later step, the company plans to test OKV-119 implants on dogs, with a commercial launch slated for 2028 or 2029, and monitoring potential side effects on behavior.
Source: Daily Mail
