Weight loss vaccines have revolutionized obesity treatment in humans. Now, researchers have created a drug similar to Ozempic for cats: OKV-119.
San Francisco-based pharmaceutical company OKAVA Pharmaceuticals recently announced that the first cat has received an injection aimed at weight loss. This is just the initial phase of testing a drug that will help shed pounds.
Scientists plan to make Ozempic-like injections available for cats within the next two to three years, allowing them to live healthier and longer lives, according to a report from Daily Mail.
What do we know about the cat slimming drug?
Ozempic and Wegovy contain semaglutide, which belongs to a class of medications known as GLP-1 agonists. For the first time in history, OKAVA is testing a new GLP-1 drug specifically designed for pets.
Instead of weekly injections given to humans, cats will receive a long-lasting injectable implant that is slightly larger than a microchip. This implant will be placed under the skin and will provide a continuous dose of the weight loss drug for six months.
These types of medications mimic the action of a natural called glucagon-like peptide-1, which stimulates insulin production, limits digestion, and creates a feeling of fullness.
Some studies have shown that GLP-1 medications developed for humans can reduce appetite and promote weight loss in cats and dogs. There is also evidence that the drug OVK-119 is safe for cats, but clinical proof of its effectiveness in treating feline obesity is still lacking.
For this new study, OKAVA hopes to recruit over 50 cats, with at least two-thirds of the furry participants receiving the implant.
Researchers will monitor the cats’ weight loss over three months, and at the owners’ request, for up to six months.
If the drug proves successful, developers will begin larger clinical trials next year and submit an application for approval to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
This means that cats could start receiving weight loss injections by 2028 or 2029. For pet owners and veterinarians struggling to manage their pets’ weight, this could be a significant breakthrough.
Currently, the only recognized standard method for treating obesity in pets is a diet that involves calorie restriction and increased physical activity. However, diets often prove ineffective due to the persistence of pets. In other words, most of them are better at begging for food than their owners are at saying no.
Dr. Michael Klotsman, CEO of OKAVA, stated: “Caloric restriction, or fasting, is one method of extending life and improving metabolic health in cats that has proven effective, but it is very difficult to maintain. The OKV-119 drug is designed to mimic many of the physiological effects of fasting without requiring significant changes to the diet.”
Just like in humans, increases the likelihood of developing heart problems, diabetes, liver disease, urinary tract issues, and cancer.
Photo: Openverse
