By Kevin Mensah

Is it true the bigger the doggo the better? Unfortunately statistics disagree.

 For many individuals, dogs are the center of one’s happiness and livelihood. However, according to the American Kennel Club, dogs typically live for 10 to 13 years (a fluctuating statistic depending on the size and breed of a pup). Larger or giant breed dogs usually pass away at the age of 9, while smaller breeds like the ‘Yorkie’ and ‘Chihuahua’ tend to live to about 13-20 years of age. Bobi, a 30-year-old Rafeiro do Alentejo from Portugal, verified as the longest living dog ever, passed away at a whopping age of 31 on October 21, 2023.

 A Francisco-based biotech company, Loyal for Dogs, has recently announced its anti-aging drugs for canines dubbed LOY-001, an injection-based treatment that targets a growth and metabolism hormone called IGF-1. This drug, referred to as LOY-001, has been granted “a technical section complete” and conditional approval by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). It is specifically designed for healthy dogs over the age of seven and weighing above 40 pounds. Veterinarians would administer LOY-001 to dog recipients every three to six months. Additionally, Loyal is developing two other drugs—LOY-002, which would cater to older dogs of almost all sizes and breeds, and LOY-003, a convenient daily pill intended to slow down the aging process. The company plans to begin a large clinical trial for LOY-001 with about 1,000 large and giant dogs in either 2024 or 2025, with the goal of having a product on the market by 2026, reports Wired. 

When introducing a new drug to the market, cost also comes into play. Loyal CEO Celine Halioua emphasizes that the product will not be financially burdensome, stating, “This is not going to be a rich person drug, this is not going to be something that puts your family to bankruptcy.” She further adds, “I don’t know the final price yet. We’re working on finalizing that but think double digits per month. It’s not going to be thousands.”What do you think of this new development? Is it feasible? Would you trust a drug like this to preserve the healthy bond between you and your four-legged friend? This is Kevin signing off for “What Would Happen if….?”