Groundbreaking weekly weight-loss therapy for cats enters clinical trials at Cornell

A new clinical study has begun at Cornell University to test a weekly weight-loss therapy for cats. The treatment, developed by biotech company Akston, targets feline obesity—a growing issue among domestic pets. Early lab tests showed no harmful side effects in cats, paving the way for broader trials.

The therapy uses a GLP-1 protein to help cats control their appetite. Built on Akston's Fc-fusion platform, it is designed to last longer in the body, reducing the need for frequent doses. The study will run for about three months, tracking overweight cats owned by private clients.

Researchers aim to enrol 70 cats initially, with the option to double that number. Preclinical trials at Cornell found no unexpected problems, giving confidence to the team. Patrick Carney, a veterinarian and associate professor at Cornell, has welcomed the therapy's potential to address a widespread but often overlooked health concern.

Meanwhile, Akston is also working on a similar treatment for dogs, though that programme remains around six months behind the feline version. Todd Zion, the company's CEO, highlighted that over 60% of US cats were classified as overweight or obese in 2022, according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention.

The study has started screening its first participants, marking a key step in testing the therapy's real-world effectiveness. If successful, the treatment could offer a new option for managing weight in cats. Current enrolment figures remain undisclosed, as trial data is kept private during active research.