After five years of development, positive results are seen in old dogs in a rigorous placebo-controlled trial performed at a leading vet school
BOSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Animal Biosciences, Inc., a company aiming to extend the lifespan of pets, today announced new clinical research published to the preprint server BioRxiv that tested the effects of their “LeapYears” supplement designed to extend healthspan in dogs.
After five years of development and testing in dogs, leveraging discoveries made at Harvard Medical School, the study shows the first clinical evidence that it is possible 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 double-blind clinical study conducted at North Carolina State University Veterinary College, in collaboration with Dr. Natasha Olby, a Professor of Neurology and Neurosurgery, has confirmed the effects of the supplement to significantly improve cognitive function. The formulation may have broader effects on frailty, activity, and happiness, as assessed by owners.
“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.”
Aging has been defined as the chronic dysregulation of gene expression networks over time leading to subsequent deteriorated tissue and organ function causing age-related functional decline. In senior dogs, as in humans, this age-related decline can manifest as cognitive decline, increased frailty and lower engagement. The results of the trial showed positive impacts in all these areas of decline.
Dr. David A. Sinclair, AO, PhD, Professor of Genetics at Harvard Medical School and co-founder of Animal Biosciences stated, “I am very proud of the teams at NCSU and Animal Biosciences, who, after years of collaborative research and a clinical trial, have developed the first supplement proven to reverse aging in dogs.”
Animal Biosciences Inc. is 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, a dedicated dog-lover with experience in the pharmaceutical and food industries, Animal Biosciences is adapting small molecule-based therapies from human health specifically for companion animals and testing them in rigorous clinical trials. The company has a pipeline of additional small molecules and therapies targeting aging in companion animals.
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