Will a disease that affects the vast majority of cats be eradicated tomorrow? A new treatment could make it possible.
A Protein That Restores Vital Functions
A Japanese research institute, the AIM Institute of Medicine, has just taken a key step by filing for regulatory approval with Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture for a revolutionary treatment designed for cats. This new drug targets chronic kidney disease, a condition previously considered incurable that affects a vast majority of aging cats.
Indeed, around 40% of cats over 10 years old and up to 80% of those over 15 are affected. This breakthrough treatment hinges on the AIM protein, discovered more than twenty years ago by researcher Toru Miyazaki. He likens this protein to an “unclogging agent” capable of restoring the animal’s vital functions. The goal of this therapy is not only to extend cats’ lifespans but also to ease the animals’ physical suffering, as well as to reduce the financial burden on their owners who must care for them.
Promising Results
The results from the initial clinical trials, published recently in the Veterinary Journal, have shown particular promise. The study demonstrates that treated cats exhibit survival rates in the impressive range of 80% to 83%. In contrast, the untreated control group showed a survival rate of only 20%. This clearly underscores the major effectiveness of this new therapeutic approach.
This medical breakthrough almost didn’t come to fruition due to funding challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic. It was an extraordinary outpouring of support that ultimately kept the project alive: between 2021 and 2022, cat lovers and owners donated nearly 300 million yen (roughly $2.0 million, about €1.6 million), funding the completion of the research and paving the way for a market filing for the treatment.
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