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Ozempic-Like Drug Could Transform Cat Health
3 Dec, 2025
Summary
- New clinical trial tests GLP-1 injections for overweight cats.
- Obesity affects over 60% of US cats, risking diabetes and heart disease.
- Feline obesity may reduce a cat's lifespan by five to ten years.
Scientists are exploring a new GLP-1 injection, AKS-562c, to combat feline obesity in an ongoing clinical trial at Cornell University. This therapy aims to address a critical unmet need, as over 60 percent of cats in the US are classified as overweight or obese, leading to serious health conditions.
This innovative drug combines GLP-1 with an antibody fragment, a platform designed to tailor treatments to animal immune systems. Early preclinical studies at Cornell showed promising weight loss with no adverse effects, fueling hope for a breakthrough in veterinary medicine. The trial is currently enrolling between 70 to 140 eligible cats.
Obese cats face an increased risk of diabetes and heart disease, and their lifespan can be shortened by five to ten years compared to lean felines. Akston is also developing a similar therapy for dogs, with research approximately six months behind the feline program, indicating a broader effort to tackle pet obesity.
