Cat arthritis med wins FDA nod
by Katie Pfaff
Zoetis Inc. has received FDA approval for Solensia (frunevetmab injection) for the treatment of osteoarthritis pain in cats. The monthly subcutaneous injection therapy is the first of its kind for cat osteoarthritis and the first monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatment for animals. The newly approved treatment impedes the body’s perception of pain by binding to a targeted nerve growth factor which would normally send a signal for the pain to the brain.
"Treatment options for cats with osteoarthritis are very limited. Advancements in modern veterinary medicine have been instrumental in extending the lives of many animals, including cats. But with longer lives come chronic diseases, such as osteoarthritis," said Steven M. Solomon, MPH, DVM, director of the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine. "Today's approval marks the first treatment option to help provide relief to cats that are suffering from this condition and may significantly improve their quality of life. We also hope that today's approval of the first monoclonal antibody by the FDA for any animal species will expand research and development of other monoclonal antibody products to treat animal diseases."
Approval was based on two efficacy studies of cats clinically validated to have osteoarthritis. The pair of studies evaluated osteoarthritis pain in cats from before the onset of osteoarthritis, baseline, and after an intervention. Assessments were based on the degree of impairment with certain daily activities, including grooming, jumping, and using the litterbox.
Side effects associated with Solensia therapy were generally mild and did not lead to stopping treatment. The common side effects were vomiting, diarrhea, injection site pain, scabbing on head and neck, dermatitis, and pruritus
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