Akston, OKAVA Test GLP-1 Weight-Loss Drugs for Cats as 61% Are Overweight or Obese
Updated
Updated · CNBC · Jul 18
Akston, OKAVA Test GLP-1 Weight-Loss Drugs for Cats as 61% Are Overweight or Obese
3 articles · Updated · CNBC · Jul 18
Summary
Two U.S. biotechs are pushing early feline obesity trials: Akston is backing a Cornell study of a once-weekly GLP-1 shot, while OKAVA is testing a long-acting implant for overweight cats.
About 70 cats will be evaluated in Akston’s roughly three-month trial, and OKAVA’s “MEOW-1” implant is designed to release medicine continuously for up to six months; both companies expect top-line results later this year.
The research targets a large unmet need in pet care, with 61% of cats and 59% of dogs assessed by U.S. veterinary professionals in 2022 classified as overweight or obese.
Any commercial market remains uncertain because no feline GLP-1 is approved, owners pay mostly out of pocket, and analysts say affordability will likely limit uptake even if the drugs work.
The trials still fit a broader shift in the roughly $200 billion U.S. pet economy, where food makers, animal-health companies and retailers are expanding into diagnostics, therapeutic nutrition and longevity products.
With trial results for cat weight-loss drugs due, will they prove safer and more effective than a simple diet change?
Will pet 'Ozempic' become a blockbuster, or will high costs and owner habits make it a commercial flop?
Transforming Feline Obesity Care: GLP-1 Drug Breakthroughs and Market Outlook 2026–2028
Overview
Feline obesity is a growing crisis that reduces cats' quality of life and leads to serious health problems. Traditional solutions like diet and exercise are hard for pet owners to maintain, creating an urgent need for better options. This need has led to the development of new therapies, with GLP-1 drugs—already used in human medicine for diabetes and obesity—emerging as a promising approach for cats. As these drugs gain attention for their potential benefits in animals, they represent a hopeful step forward in managing feline weight and improving overall cat health.