Celine Halioua

, for the excellent piece. This round brings Loyal’s total financing to over $125M.

I started Loyal four and a half years ago as a naive 24 year old with an idea that literally had people laugh in my face — FDA-approved dog lifespan extension drugs. Since then, Loyal has created the 

 for a lifespan extension drug, earned FDA acceptance of the 

 in our pivotal lifespan extension study. I am so proud of the precedent we have set and the scientific rigor we have brought to an extremely challenging and important problem. 

Our $45M Series B was led by Bain Capital Ventures, a new investor in the company who brings growth and consumer expertise. We welcomed Valor Equity Partners (Jon Shulkin) as a new investor. And Khosla Ventures (Vinod Khosla), First Round Capital (Josh Kopelman), Box Group (Greg Rosen), Quiet Capital (David Greenbaum + Daniel Gruneberg), Collaborative Fund (Craig Shapiro), and Todd & Rahul, doubled or tripled down on their previous investments in the company. The round was near 2X oversubscribed and at a significant markup to our 2021 Series A.1

This new capital fuels us to very hopefully2 bring the first FDA-approved lifespan extension drug to market. We have the data, the team, and the path forward — this capital was the last puzzle piece to ensure that, if our vision is possible, we will achieve it. 

Funding from this round will help us reach future milestones: 

Building dog longevity drugs does not have a large margin for error, and I rely on our investors to ensure we continuously level up. I appreciate so much the continued belief of incumbent investors including Greg Rosen (who convinced me to start Loyal back in 2019), Josh Kopelman (my growth rate barometer), and Vinod Khosla (whose plans are measured in centuries). I admire both the rigor and leap of faith required of new investors Kevin Zhang and Jon Shulkin — including brainstorming sessions over Adeni chai (Kevin) and cider (Jon).  

It is the honor of a lifetime to build Loyal with this team of scientists, veterinarians, creatives, operators, animal lovers, and investors. We are committed to delivering our dog longevity drugs to patients and veterinarians, and with it building a new pharmaceutical company focused on the biology of aging and healthy lifespan extension.  

1Even high interest rates can’t stop dog longevity drugs.

2While I am a trained scientist, I am also 

 superstitious and you will not catch me mentioning FDA approval without many caveats 🙂

$125M to extend dog lifespan

Today we are <a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240321591608/en/Loyal-Announces-45-Million-Ser[…]DA-Approved-Dog-Lifespan-Extension-Drug-for-Veterinary-Use">announcing</a> Loyal’s $45M Series B. Thank you, <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/dog-longevity-startup-loyal-secures-45-million-in-funding-23d85cf1?st=jlgyle3tong0t4b&amp;reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink">Wall Street Journal</a>, for the excellent piece. This round brings Loyal’s total financing to over $125M.



I started Loyal four and a half years ago as a naive 24 year old with an idea that literally had people laugh in my face — FDA-approved dog lifespan extension drugs. Since then, Loyal has created the <a href="https://longevity.technology/news/first-longevity-clinical-study-design-fetches-fda-approval/">first regulatory path</a> for a lifespan extension drug, earned FDA acceptance of the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/28/science/longevity-drugs-dogs.html">effectiveness dossier</a> for LOY-001, been on the <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/the-search-for-a-pill-for-dog-and-human-longevity/">cover of WIRED</a>, and dosed the <a href="https://loyalfordogs.com/posts/meet-boo-first-stay-study-dog-dosed">first dog</a> in our pivotal lifespan extension study. I am so proud of the precedent we have set and the scientific rigor we have brought to an extremely challenging and important problem.&nbsp;



Our $45M Series B was led by Bain Capital Ventures, a new investor in the company who brings growth and consumer expertise. We welcomed Valor Equity Partners (Jon Shulkin) as a new investor. And Khosla Ventures (Vinod Khosla), First Round Capital (Josh Kopelman), Box Group (Greg Rosen), Quiet Capital (David Greenbaum + Daniel Gruneberg), Collaborative Fund (Craig Shapiro), and Todd &amp; Rahul, doubled or tripled down on their previous investments in the company. The round was near 2X oversubscribed and at a significant markup to our 2021 Series A.1



This new capital fuels us to very hopefully2 bring the first FDA-approved lifespan extension drug to market. We have the data, the team, and the path forward — this capital was the last puzzle piece to ensure that, if our vision is possible, we will achieve it.&nbsp;



Funding from this round will help us reach future milestones:&nbsp;



<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li>FDA manufacturing, safety, and reasonable expectation of efficacy (RXE) dossier approval for LOY-002, our product for senior dog lifespan extension</li>



<li>Market launch of our first product, and build out of our distribution and commercial functions for nationwide supply&nbsp;</li>



<li>Complete enrollment in and execution of our STAY pivotal lifespan extension study for LOY-002</li>



<li>Continued development of LOY-001 (injectable) and LOY-003 (daily pill) for large dog lifespan extension, including LOY-003 RXE submission and final commercial formulation</li>
</ol>



Building dog longevity drugs does not have a large margin for error, and I rely on our investors to ensure we continuously level up. I appreciate so much the continued belief of incumbent investors including Greg Rosen (who convinced me to start Loyal back in 2019), Josh Kopelman (my growth rate barometer), and Vinod Khosla (whose plans are measured in centuries). I admire both the rigor and leap of faith required of new investors Kevin Zhang and Jon Shulkin — including brainstorming sessions over Adeni chai (Kevin) and cider (Jon).&nbsp;&nbsp;



It is the honor of a lifetime to build Loyal with this team of scientists, veterinarians, creatives, operators, animal lovers, and investors. We are committed to delivering our dog longevity drugs to patients and veterinarians, and with it building a new pharmaceutical company focused on the biology of aging and healthy lifespan extension.&nbsp;&nbsp;



C



1Even high interest rates can&#8217;t stop dog longevity drugs. 2While I am a trained scientist, I am also deeply superstitious and you will not catch me mentioning FDA approval without many caveats 🙂

I’m excited to share that Linda Rhodes, VMD, PhD, has joined our Board of Directors. There are few people who have the breadth and depth of experience across science, veterinary medicine, and entrepreneurship that Linda does. We’re fortunate to have her as part of the Loyal team.

I have long looked up to Linda and consider her a mentor and a friend. Linda has seen it all — from living and working on a feminist dairy cow commune in California to developing three FDA-approved animal health drugs in five years and sitting on the Board of one of the world largest animal health companies. I am honored to learn from her. 

Linda’s expertise in the science and regulation of developing animal health drugs are invaluable to Loyal. We are at an exciting inflection point — aiming to launch our first product to market next year, LOY-002 for senior dogs. We also continue to develop LOY-001 and LOY-003, the large- and giant-breed therapies in our pipeline. Across our portfolio, we will benefit from tapping into Linda’s experience of bringing novel animal drug therapies to market. 

I’m encouraged by the progress we are making across all aspects of the business toward realizing our mission of helping dogs live longer, healthier lives. And I’m inspired by the trails that Linda has blazed ahead of us. 

Please join me in welcoming Linda to Loyal!

Linda Rhodes joins the Loyal Board of Directors

I’m excited to share that Linda Rhodes, VMD, PhD, has joined our Board of Directors. There are few people who have the breadth and depth of experience across science, veterinary medicine, and entrepreneurship that Linda does. We’re fortunate to have her as part of the Loyal team. I have long looked up to Linda and consider her a mentor and a friend. Linda has seen it all — from living and working on a feminist dairy cow commune in California to developing three FDA-approved animal health drugs in five years and sitting on the Board of one of the world largest animal health companies. I am honored to learn from her.&nbsp;



Linda’s expertise in the science and regulation of developing animal health drugs are invaluable to Loyal. We are at an exciting inflection point — aiming to launch our first product to market next year, LOY-002 for senior dogs. We also continue to develop LOY-001 and LOY-003, the large- and giant-breed therapies in our pipeline. Across our portfolio, we will benefit from tapping into Linda’s experience of bringing novel animal drug therapies to market.&nbsp;



I’m encouraged by the progress we are making across all aspects of the business toward realizing our mission of helping dogs live longer, healthier lives. And I’m inspired by the trails that Linda has blazed ahead of us.&nbsp;



Please join me in welcoming Linda to Loyal!

One of my favorite Loyal traditions is our End-of-Week Review. It’s a simple moment every Friday to reflect on what we’ve accomplished during the week. On this Friday of 2024, I wanted to channel that spirit to reflect on Loyal’s year.

Loyal came into 2024 on a high: we had just received the 

 that a drug could be developed — and effective — at extending dogs’ healthy lifespan. It was a pivotal moment for us as a company - a validation of the most audacious thesis of this company.

My team took this energy and harnessed it to fuel this year’s biggest accomplishments -- some we can share now, and some not quite yet! Here are a few of our key highlights:

It’s amazing to see how much progress we’ve made in one year of the 

, the final efficacy study for our senior dog program. For a quick overview on where we are on the study check out 

 by our very own Dr. Ellen Ratcliff, our VP of Clinical and Veterinary Medicine.

In typical Loyal fashion, our trial is unique by design. At over 1,000 dogs, this will be the biggest clinical study in veterinary history as far as we know. We are on track to meet our ambitious enrollment timelines, and project that we’ll have over 1,000 dogs from nearly 70 veterinary clinics on board nationwide as we finalize enrollment next year.

P.S. We’re entering our last round of enrollment. If you want your senior dog to participate in the STAY study, fill out 

 for our Series B, bringing our total investment to over $125 million.

At a very practical level, this money helps fuel our ability to deliver a longevity drug by the end of next year. But perhaps just as importantly, seeing people share our vision — veterinarians, dog owners, and investors  — is a powerful reminder that we have a big (and growing) coalition working together to help us get to have more healthy time with the dogs we love in the very near future.

The Loyal pack hit the road this year! Our team of vets, vet techs, and operators were on the ground at the biggest veterinary conferences across the country. 

We met thousands of vets, vet techs, vet assistants, and other members of the vet community on the floor of the exhibition halls and in the CE classrooms.

We’ll be back at all of the biggest conferences (VMX, WVC, AVMA, and more!) again next year, so stay tuned for more details about where we’ll be and what CE credits our vets will be offering. In the meantime, if you’re interested in taking a free online CE course, please visit our 

Everything we do is backed by research and data. I am a neuroscientist by training, and our ranks are filled by experts in metabolic health, aging, and veterinary medicine. Our team has been hard at work publishing peer-reviewed papers in journals like 

. We’re also exploring new science that hasn’t quite made it into publications yet and continuing to evaluate new ways to help dogs live longer, healthier lives, so stay tuned ;) 

If you want to stay in touch and hear more and hear more about what’s in store for the year ahead, subscribe to our newsletter 