Loyal, a San Francisco–based clinical-stage animal health company developing lifespan extension drugs for dogs, has raised $100 million in Series C funding to support the advancement of its lead program, LOY-002, and move closer to market readiness for what it says could become the first FDA-approved drug for lifespan extension itself in any species.
The round was led by age1, described as the next generation of Laura Deming’s Longevity Fund, with participation from Baillie Gifford and existing investors. Loyal said the financing brings total investment in the company to more than $250 million since it was founded in late 2019.
The company plans to use the new capital to complete the remaining FDA requirements for LOY-002, scale its team, build distribution channels, and prepare for a commercial launch. LOY-002 is a prescription daily pill intended to extend the healthy lifespan of senior dogs by targeting metabolic drivers associated with aging. Loyal said it has completed the Reasonable Expectation of Effectiveness (RXE) and Target Animal Safety (TAS) sections, satisfying two of the three major requirements for an Expanded Conditional Approval (XCA) application with the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine. The final major requirement is in progress, and Loyal said it plans to submit it for review later this year.
Loyal also highlighted progress on its clinical and regulatory efforts over the past year, including completing enrollment in its pivotal STAY study, which it said is following 1,300 dogs across 70 veterinary clinics nationwide and is the largest clinical trial in the history of veterinary medicine. The company framed these milestones as evidence of its scientific and regulatory approach as it builds a broader portfolio, noting it currently has three drugs in development.
Founded to target mechanisms of aging in dogs, Loyal positions its work as preventive, proactive therapeutics to extend both lifespan and healthspan, with an emphasis on translating decades of research into regulated veterinary medicines.
KEY QUOTES
“Our driving purpose at Loyal is to help dogs live longer, healthier lives. We’re closer than ever to delivering a solution to the problem we set out to solve: an FDA-approved drug for canine lifespan extension. This capital will help our team see our lead program through the remaining FDA requirements and get to market.”
Celine Halioua, Founder & CEO, Loyal
“I’ve been incredibly lucky to know Celine since 2018 and to have witnessed and supported the team’s relentless execution as an investor. Loyal has created a scientific and cultural movement towards proactive therapeutics for aging. Very few realize the impact this has had to date and the impact it will have to come. The way we understand and approach aging will never be the same.”
Alex Colville, Co-founder & General Partner, age1
“Celine and the team are redefining how preventive care is approached in veterinary medicine. Helping dogs live longer, healthier lives matters to many families. By combining scientific rigour with a clear regulatory plan, Loyal has the foundations to build a substantial business in a large and expanding market.”
Tom Slater, Partner, Baillie Gifford
