Biotech company Okava, based in San Francisco, is conducting a pioneering study called MEOW-1 to test a GLP-1 drug on up to 50 overweight cats. As part of the study, cats will be implanted with a small device to continuously administer the medication for up to six months. Michael Clotzman, CEO of Okava, stated that the company will seek approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its product between 2027 and 2028. He also mentioned that the expected cost of the product will be $100 per month for cat owners. Okava added: "Weight control provides tremendous health benefits for cats." According to an ABC News report, San Francisco-based biotech company Okava is launching a new pioneering study called MEOW-1 to test a GLP-1 drug on up to 50 overweight cats. Lean cats significantly reduce their risk of developing diabetes and also alleviate weight-related joint pain." In a later phase, Okava plans to study the drug's effect on dogs, as well as its impact on conditions like diabetes and chronic kidney disease. "The capsule is implanted under the skin, and then six months later, you find the cat has lost weight. It's like magic," explained Dr. Chin Jilor, a veterinarian at the University of Florida who is leading the study. According to The New York Times, "some veterinarians have already started giving human GLP-1 drugs to diabetic cats off-label, and Okava is not the only company developing a product specifically for pets." The New York Times also reports that an estimated 60% of cats and dogs in the U.S. are obese. Dr. Jilor confirms that diabetes is treatable, but the veterinary sector "falls far short in treating it." The MEOW-1 study, which stands for "Management of Excess Weight in Obese Cats," will involve administering a drug called exenatide to two-thirds of the cats participating in the study. Weight loss is the only proven way to extend a cat's lifespan.
