Behind the startup trying to turn dog years into human years

How much money would people spend in exchange for a few extra face licks, chewed-up shoes, and greetings at the door from their canine friends? We may soon find out.

Late last week, biotech startup Loyal raised $45 million in new funding aimed at bringing the company’s first longevity drug for dogs to market. Founder and CEO Celine Halioua said the new funding increased Loyal’s valuation from its prior round in 2022, which pegged the startup at $220 million.

How the longevity treatment works: Loyal’s initial product is an injectable drug designed to reduce levels of a hormone that drives cell growth in large dogs, since an overabundance of that hormone has been associated with shorter lifespans in some studies.

• The startup says the drug is projected to add about one year of “healthier life” to large dogs, as measured by quality of life and frailty surveys.
• While Loyal has yet to gather any real-world data to confirm its predictions, the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine in November deemed its longevity drug program to have a “reasonable expectation of effectiveness.”

Looking ahead… After receiving initial FDA approval, which Loyal hopes will occur in 2026, the startup plans to start generating revenue by selling its canine longevity drugs through vet offices.

💰📈 Zoom out: Americans are projected to spend $151 billion on their pets this year, which would represent a 58% increase compared to 2019.