Long-acting drug for reducing canine OA pain receives European marketing authorization

An izenivetmab injection (Lenivia; Zoetis) for reducing pain associated with osteoarthritis (OA) in canines has been granted marketing authorization by the European Commission.¹ The single-injection monoclonal antibody drug has shown to reduce OA pain in dogs for 3 months.^1,2

Rob Polzer, PhD, executive vice president and president of research and development at Zoetis, said the company strives to develop products that address unmet medical needs. “The European Commission’s marketing authorization for [izenivetmab injection] marks another important step forward in managing osteoarthritis pain in dogs,” Polzer said in a news release.¹

Canine OA causes joint pain and is associated with the loss and dysfunction of cartilage. The condition poses a significant threat to the welfare of dogs.³

“Osteoarthritis can be painful for dogs and negatively impact their quality of life. We see daily some patients for which we don’t have a proper solution to help them be more comfortable and happier,” Guillaume Ragetly, DVM, PhD, DACVS (SA),DECVS, an orthopedic surgeon in France, said in a news release.¹ “Having more tools to help dogs control pain from osteoarthritis is important for veterinarians to continue to provide the standard of care pet owners expect today.”

Izenivetmab injection works by binding antibodies to nerve growth factor (NGF) for decreasing pain and increasing mobility. A 9-month field study demonstrated safety for izenivetmab injection, while also showing improved mobility and decreased pain in dogs with OA. Adverse effects reported in the study included balance problems, weakness or trouble standing, decreased appetite, and vomiting or diarrhea, as well as drinking and urinating more often.²

The European Commission’s decision to grant marketing authorization follows the recommendation for the designation by the Committee for Veterinary Medicinal Products (CVMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA). The CVMP issued a positive opinion of the drug with the recommendation in October 2025.²

In its opinion, the EMA wrote that izenivetmab injection was evaluated in 2 exploratory dose determination studies and 1 placebo-controlled clinical trial. “In the pivotal clinical trial, administration of Lenivia [izenivetmab injection] at the proposed dosing interval [0.05-0.1 mg/kg] increased the owner-assessed treatment success and resulted in overall improvement of a veterinary categorical assessment in dogs with OA for 90 days, compared [with] dogs that were administered placebo,” the EMA wrote.⁴

Zoetis is expecting Izenivetmab injection to become available in Europe in 2026. On the European market, this new drug is Zoetis’ second monoclonal antibody for reducing OA pain in dogs. The other is bedinvetmabl (Librela),which targets NGF with binding at a different site and with a shorter period of pain relief.¹

"Four years ago in Europe, we introduced the first monoclonal antibody therapy designed to manage pain associated with OA in dogs, and we look forward to providing veterinarians with another innovative tool to help them manage pain associated with OA for the animals in their care,” Richard Goldstein, DVM, DACVIM, DECVIM-CA, global chief medical officer and head of medical affairs at Zoetis, said in the release.¹

References

1. Zoetis receives European Commission marketing authorization for Lenivia (izenivetmab) to reduce pain associated with osteoarthritis (OA) in dogs. News release. Zoetis. November 26, 2025. Accessed November 26, 2025. https://news.zoetis.com/press-releases/press-release-details/2025/Zoetis-Receives-European-Commission-Marketing-Authorization-for-Lenivia-izenivetmab-to-Reduce-Pain-Associated-with-Osteoarthritis-OA-in-Dogs/default.aspx
2. Crossley KC. Novel therapy for managing OA pain gains momentum in global markets. dvm360. October 16, 2025. Accessed November 26, 2025. https://www.dvm360.com/view/novel-therapy-for-managing-canine-oa-pain-gains-momentum-in-global-markets
3. Anderson KL, Zulch H, O’Neill DG, Meeson RL, Collins LM. Risk factors for canine osteoarthritis and its predisposing arthropathies: a systematic review. Front Vet Sci. 2020;7:220. doi:10.3389/fvets.2020.00220
4. Summary of opinion: Lenivia. European Medicines Agency. October 10, 2025. Accessed October 16, 2025. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/smop-initial/cvmp-summary-positive-opinion-lenivia_en.pdf