A California-based biotech company is working on a groundbreaking pill designed to help dogs live longer, healthier lives. Loyal, a company headquartered in the Bay Area, is developing LOY-002—a beef-flavored tablet aimed at improving the quality of life in senior dogs.
Dogs typically live between 6 to 16 years, depending on their breed and size. As they age, they experience a decline in metabolism and energy, along with other age-related conditions. Loyal’s new pill targets these issues in dogs aged 10 and older, weighing at least 14 pounds.
A Step Toward Approval
In February, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted LOY-002 “Reasonable Expectation of Effectiveness” status. This designation allows Loyal to continue its approval process and suggests early data supports the drug’s potential benefits. If successful, LOY-002 could become the first FDA-approved longevity medication for dogs.
More Than One Solution
LOY-002 is not Loyal’s only product in development. The company is also working on LOY-001, an injectable drug for large breeds such as Great Danes and Rottweilers—dogs that often have shorter life spans of 6 to 10 years. LOY-001 received FDA recognition in late 2023.
A third product, LOY-003, is still in development. It is a pill version of LOY-001 and is intended for large dogs aged 7 and older, weighing at least 40 pounds.
The Largest Clinical Trial of Its Kind
To test the effectiveness of LOY-002, Loyal launched the STAY study—the largest veterinary clinical trial ever conducted. The trial involves approximately 1,000 senior dogs across 70 veterinary clinics in the United States. Half of the participants receive LOY-002, while the other half are given a placebo.
The trial began in late 2023 and is scheduled to run for four years. In addition to monitoring lifespan, researchers are evaluating improvements in energy levels, mobility, and overall well-being.
Looking Ahead
Loyal aims to make LOY-002 available to veterinarians by the end of 2025. So far, the company has raised over $150 million in funding from investors including Valor Equity Partners and Collaborative Fund.
While the loss of a pet remains one of the hardest moments for any dog owner, science may soon offer a way to add more happy, healthy years to their companions’ lives.