Two American biotech companies are conducting clinical trials of so-called GLP-1 drugs on cats, CNBC reports.
One study, at Cornell University, is based on a once-weekly injection. San Francisco-based Okava Pharmaceuticals is testing a long-acting implant under the skin that releases the drug for up to six months.
Although no preparations are approved and there is currently no "Ozempic for cats" on the market, experts believe the market potential for weight-loss solutions for pets is enormous.
Pet obesity is a growing problem in the United States. According to the organization APOP, more than 61 percent of all cats and 59 percent of dogs in the country are overweight or obese. For cats, the situation is considered particularly challenging. While dogs can get exercise through daily walks, it is more difficult to exercise indoor cats, for example, which suggests that the drugs would fill a need.
