Historic first: Dog longevity drug trial about to kick off

What's the news: The Loyal dog trial is about to kick off, testing the effects of a lifespan extending drug in 1,000 aged dogs across the U.S.

Why should we believe it: I wrote about this trial back in March, when the FDA gave its "program concurrence" status to dog longevity company Loyal. Now, the news that the trial is about to start came out in The Telegraph, a reputable UK newspaper.

The trial will last four years, and the dogs participating in it must be at least 10 years old. The goal of of the trial is to see whether the Loyal drug (which has not been revealed for competitive reasons) increases dog lifespan by at least a year.

Why this is a big deal: If Loyal is successful, it will get FDA approval to sell its drug to extend dog lives and owner happiness across the U.S. And that would be a breakthrough. 'It will be the first medication ever to extend lifespan in any species,” said Brennen McKenzie, director of veterinary medicine at Loyal.

Why you might care, even if you don't have a dog: Loyal CEO Celine Halioua has stated that her goal — in case Loyal is successful with dogs — is to trial the same drug in humans also.

It's not crazy to believe this could work. Dogs and humans, both large mammals, also share the exact same environment. And approximately 75% of what drives longevity is believed to be environmental, and just 25% genetic.