Anti Aging Drug Dogs and the Quest for a Longer Life

Scientists have been studying the unique genetic makeup of certain dog breeds, like the Tibetan Mastiff and the Maltese, to understand how they can live up to 17 years or more.

These breeds have a remarkable ability to resist age-related diseases, such as cancer and heart disease, which are common in many other dog breeds.

Research has shown that these breeds have a higher expression of certain genes that are involved in DNA repair and cell maintenance, which may contribute to their longer lifespan.

One such gene, called SIRT6, has been found to be highly expressed in the Tibetan Mastiff, and it's thought to play a key role in maintaining telomeres, the protective caps on the ends of chromosomes.

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If you're interested in participating in the STAY study, your dog must be at least 10 years old and weigh at least 14 pounds.

You'll also need to live near one of the 55 participating vet clinics and be committed to participating for the full 4 years of the study.

Owners must be able to give their dog a flavored chewable once a day, and half of the dogs in the study will receive the anti-aging pill, while the other half will receive a placebo.

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Senior dogs are being enrolled in clinical trials to test an anti-aging pill that could extend their lifespan and healthspan.

Loyal, a biotech company, is developing an injectable drug called LOY-001 for large breed dogs, which have shorter lifespans than smaller breeds.

Senior dogs as young as 10 years old and weighing at least 14 pounds can participate in the STAY study, which is testing a daily anti-aging pill called LOY-002.

Dogs must live near one of 55 participating vet clinics to enroll in the study, and owners must commit to participating for the full 4 years.

The study will enroll 1,000 senior dogs, with the first pup, an 11-year-old whippet named Boo, already dosed.

The pill is designed to "improve metabolic fitness" and increase the number of healthy years a dog gets to enjoy.

A dog's quality of life will be monitored through regular surveys and check-ups, with the first year consisting of six check-ups and the following three years consisting of two check-ups per year.

The study could also help humans, as dogs are an ideal model to study human aging due to similar environmental conditions and age-related dynamics with disease risk.

Studying anti-aging in dogs is faster than similar studies on humans, with results visible in as little as 6-12 months.

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Participating in trials can be a great way to contribute to scientific research and potentially benefit from new discoveries. You'll need to provide some samples and information about your dog.

You'll be asked to complete a comprehensive survey about your dog's at-home care, environment, and health before enrollment. This will help researchers understand your dog's background and habits.

The study team will also need access to your dog's medical records. You'll be able to upload these records through an online portal or have your primary care veterinarian do it for you.

In addition to medical records, you'll need to provide a DNA sample from your dog. This will be done using a cheek swab that you'll mail to the study team or collect at home following their instructions.

During the initial screening examination, your dog will undergo a physical examination, including a blood pressure measurement using a cuff.

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Research on anti-aging is advancing at a rapid pace, with a separate team of researchers conducting a trial to see if a drug that extends the lives of lab mice can do the same for dogs.

Dogs are an ideal model to study human aging, as they experience similar environmental conditions to humans and have similar age-related dynamics with disease risk.

Studying anti-aging in dogs is faster than similar studies on humans, with results visible in as little as 6 to 12 months, whereas it would take years to see the same effects in humans.

Several billionaires are investing in anti-aging startups, with Jeff Bezos investing in Altos Labs and Peter Thiel and Sam Altman backing similar longevity-focused ventures.

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The first anti-aging pill for dogs is now in clinical trials. Researchers hope it will pave the way for lifespan-extending drugs for people.

The pill was developed by San Francisco-based veterinary medicine startup Loyal, and they're waiting on approval from the FDA for an injectable anti-aging drug for large dogs.

The drug is expected to be most successful in larger breeds, which tend to die younger. This is because these breeds have a shorter lifespan.

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The pill works by altering metabolic processes. It will be tested on 1,000 dogs over 10 years old and weighing at least 14 pounds.

The dogs will be monitored over four years, and their lifespan and quality of life compared to those given a placebo. The researchers hope to extend their lives by at least an extra year.

Loyal aims to get conditional approval from the FDA by early 2025. The company is committed to making the treatment affordable for pet owners.

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