A Pill to Extend Your Dog's Healthspan
By Kelli Luu | 18 Dec, 2025

Clinical-stage biotech company Loyal is developing the first FDA-approved longevity drug for dogs, a breakthrough that could completely change veterinary medicine.

There is a pill in development right now that could potentially extend the lives of man’s best friend and it’s much closer than you think. 

Allow us to introduce you to Loyal, a clinical-stage biotech company that is developing the very first FDA-approved medicine that will extend the lifespan of dogs. Founded in 2019, Loyal began creating their top contender LOY-002, which is a daily pill intended for dogs over 10 years old, weighing at least 14 pounds. The medication targets metabolic dysfunction, the decline that increases disease risk as your pup ages. A multi-year trial called STAY is currently taking place at dozens of veterinary clinics to evaluate LOY-002 and its outcomes after several years. 

Loyal is also developing LOY-001/LOY-003 which is specifically for large and giant dog breeds. LOY-001 being a daily pill and LOY-003 being an injection, but both will target Insulin-like Growth Factor 1, which is the hormone linked to accelerated aging in larger dogs. 

LOY-002 is the furthest ahead, currently seeking expanded conditional approval by the FDA and Loyal predicts the first of their longevity drugs will receive it in 2026. The FDA has already approved the technical effectiveness of LOY-001 and LOY-003 and conditional approval is targeted for 2027. 

Loyal has expectations of adding at least one year of healthy living to our pets’ lives and wants to potentially reach 1-3 years, which is exactly what the STAY trials are testing. For now the science is still unfolding, but the future of veterinary medicine will only continue to evolve further and if dogs will soon be able to benefit, then the door must be open to broader longevity research in humans.