Gallant Announces Pilot Results
Gallant has announced positive results from a pilot study of IV stem cell therapy for cats with osteoarthritis, with 76% of treated cats showing improved quality of life versus 36% in the placebo group at 90 days. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine also granted the therapy eligibility for an expanded conditional approval pathway. OA affects 90% of older cats, and current treatments address only symptoms. A one-year continuation study is ongoing.
Gallant has also announced promising results from a randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study of its IV mesenchymal stromal cell therapy for canine osteoarthritis, along with FDA-CVM eligibility for an expanded conditional approval pathway targeting 2028. The 88-dog study showed statistically significant improvement in pet owner-reported outcomes at days 60 and 90, with no treatment-related serious adverse events observed. Unlike existing joint-injection approaches, the therapy is designed for straightforward IV administration in any practice setting.
Registration Opens for KC Animal Health Summit
Registration has opened for the KC Animal Health Corridor’s 2026 KC Animal Health Summit. The event will be held from August 31 through September 1, 2026, in Kansas City at the Midland Theatre. Over the two days, attendees will hear from “top industry voices on the forces redefining animal health while competing early stage companies take stage in a Shark Tank-style pitch competition.” Attendance is limited. Those interested can register here.
Merck Launches Veterinary Wellbeing Collective
Merck Animal Health has announced the Veterinary Wellbeing Collective, a collaborative initiative bringing together 16 mental health and well-being experts from across the profession. The group held its inaugural roundtable in July 2025, marking a shift from fragmented efforts toward coordinated, evidence-based action. Future plans include developing a consensus definition of veterinary well-being, launching a centralized resource database and a joint communications campaign, and convening virtually every two months.
HABRI Launches Pet-Inclusive Housing Coalition
The Human-Animal Bond Research Institute convened its third annual Spring Policy Forum in Washington. The event focused on expanding access to pet-inclusive housing. It concluded with the launch of the Pets and Families Housing Coalition, with founding partners including the American Pet Products Association, Independence Pet Holdings, Mars, the Michelson Center for Public Policy, and HABRI. The coalition will advocate for evidence-based policies at the local, state, and federal levels, including limits on breed and size restrictions and caps on pet deposits. A white paper summarizing the forum’s findings is forthcoming.