The longevity biotechnology industry is rapidly advancing with thousands of scientists round the world making credible advances in aging research. And dozens of companies around the world are developing and commercializing new tools to measure aging at different levels and new technologies, drugs and supplements to slow it down or even reverse it. But conducting clinical trials in humans may take decades and usually requires purposing a drug toward one or more diseases. Hence, many companies take an alternative route and focus on our animal companions instead. Firstly, the clinical trials required are shorter, cheaper and allow to establish the proof of concept for humans. Secondly, the global pet supplement market is estimated to be from $1.3 Billion to approximately $2.5 Billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at over 5% annually. This growth is primarily attributed to the increase in humanization, as many owners consider pets as family members. In China, single women and families often choose to have a pet instead of a child.
One of the companies working in this field is Animal Biosciences, a Boston-based animal health company focused on delaying aging and extending the healthy lifespan of companion animals. Co-founded in 2017 by well-known longevity pioneer Professor David A. Sinclair of Harvard Medical School and his brother, Nick Sinclair, CEO.
On February 28th, Animal Biosciences announced new clinical research published to the preprint server BioRxiv that tested the impact of their “LeapYears” supplement designed to extend lifespan in dogs.
After five years of development and testing in dogs, leveraging discoveries made at Harvard Medical School, the placebo-controlled study yielded positive results, making LeapYears the first-ever animal product clinically proven to reverse age-related decline in dogs. The supplement, formulated as a soft chew, is a combination of an “NAD booster” to mimic fasting, and a molecule that kills “zombie” senescent cells that cause aging. The combination was developed because the effects in vivo were better than the single molecules alone.
The treatment showed significant improvements in cognitive function, as indicated by a decrease in symptoms related to canine cognitive dysfunction. Owners reported not only a stabilization or enhancement in their pets’ cognitive abilities but also observed a notable increase in happiness, with up to 47% of owners in the treatment groups noting their dogs seemed happier at the six-month checkpoint. Additionally, physical activity monitors and assessments of frailty and attention further supported these positive outcomes, suggesting an overall improvement in the quality of life for these dogs.
Regarding safety, the supplement was well-tolerated across all groups, with most adverse events being mild and resolving without intervention. The occurrence of serious adverse events was rare and evenly distributed across the placebo and treatment groups, indicating no significant safety concerns directly attributable to the supplement. This finding underscores the supplement’s potential as a safe and effective means to enhance the well-being and cognitive function of aging dogs, offering a new lease on life for our furry companions.
The double-blind clinical study was conducted at North Carolina State University Veterinary College, a leading vet school. Professor Natasha Olby, an award-winning neurologist and the corresponding author on the paper, confirmed the effects of the supplement to significantly improve cognitive function and emphasized the clinical trial’s rigorous methodology and its implications for improving canine quality of life.
“The outcomes of the clinical trial, especially the enhancements in cognition, are encouraging and represent a unique achievement,” Dr. Olby noted. “This rigorous study, which acknowledges the difficulties aging pets and their owners encounter, shows dedication to scientific methods aimed at improving the quality of life for our canine companions.”
I noticed that David Sinclair, one of the world’s most prominent scientists in aging research, commented on the press release and reached out for additional comments. Dr. Sinclair explained: “This study in dogs is an exciting milestone, leveraging 25 years of research, millions of dollars in investment, and five years of product development. I’m so proud of the LeapYears team, who never gave up so they could improve the lives of millions of older dogs”.
In 2023, Dr. Sinclair presented his research at the 10th Aging Research and Drug Discovery (ARDD) meeting in Copenhagen and is expected to present at the 11th ARDD this year.
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