Drugs that extend the lifespan of dogs also provide benefits for human health.
Tl;dr
- Drugs to increase longevity in dogs could also help humans.
- American biotech start-up Loyal plans to launch a pill to extend the healthy lives of dogs.
- The Dog Aging Project is studying a drug that could improve the heart and cognitive health of dogs.
Dogs, man and the quest for longevity
Our dog friends, always considered man’s best friends, could now help us live longer. Indeed, Recent advances in science suggest that drugs designed to increase the longevity of our faithful companions could also help extend human life.
The longevity pill
Loyal, a US-based biotech startup, plans to launch a pill, pleasantly flavored with beef, called LOY-002. The purpose of this pill is to extend the healthy life of dogs by at least one year. This project attracted the attention of investors, who financed the company to the tune of $125 million.
Céline Halioua, founder and CEO of Loyal, believes that this research will also benefit humans. She says studying age-related decline in dogs can provide valuable insight into human aging. Indeed, our dogs share our environments and encounter health challenges similar to ours, unlike laboratory mice.
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Le projet « Dog Aging »
Meanwhile, the Dog Aging Project is exploring the effects of rapamycin, an inexpensive and easy-to-produce drug initially used as an immunosuppressant. It has been shown to extend the lifespan of mice. “If this proves effective in dogs, it could represent a turning point for research into human longevity”says Daniel Promislow, biogerontologist at the University of Washington and co-director of the project.
A promising step forward
This research could therefore lead to a future where your dog helps you live longer. As your furry friend fills you with happiness, it could also help you slow down the signs of aging. So, our canine friends could not only light up our lives with joy, but also guide us towards a longer and healthier life.
Health
