Zoetis Receives European Commission Marketing Authorization for Lenivia® (izenivetmab) to Reduce Pain Associated with Osteoarthritis (OA) in Dogs

Key Terms

nerve growth factor medical

A naturally occurring protein that acts like a fertilizer for certain nerve cells, helping them grow, survive and repair after injury. Investors care because medicines that boost, mimic or block this protein can change outcomes for chronic pain, nerve damage and some neurodegenerative conditions, so clinical trial results, safety findings and regulatory decisions around such treatments can strongly affect a biotech company’s value.

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Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a naturally occurring protein that helps nerve cells develop, survive and repair themselves — like a fertilizer that encourages nerve growth and maintenance. Investors watch NGF closely because drugs or tests that boost, block, or measure it can become treatments for pain, nerve damage or neurodegenerative diseases; success or failure in clinical trials and regulatory reviews can strongly affect a company’s value and market prospects.

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A monoclonal antibody is a laboratory-made protein designed to recognize and attach to a specific target in the body, such as a disease-causing substance or cell. It functions like a highly precise lock-and-key tool, helping to treat or detect illnesses. For investors, companies developing monoclonal antibodies can represent promising opportunities in the healthcare sector, especially as these treatments often address unmet medical needs.

osteoarthritis medical

A chronic joint condition in which the protective cushioning (cartilage) between bones gradually breaks down, causing pain, stiffness and reduced mobility—think of joints like shock absorbers that wear out over time. It matters to investors because it represents a large, predictable market for medicines, surgical devices and long‑term care; clinical trial results, regulatory decisions, reimbursement and new treatments can significantly affect sales, costs and valuation in healthcare-related companies.

PARSIPPANY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Zoetis Inc. today announced that the European Commission has granted the company marketing authorization for Lenivia^® (izenivetmab) for the reduction of pain associated with osteoarthritis (OA) in dogs.

Lenivia is a new antibody therapy that reduces OA pain in dogs for three months with one injection through its novel binding properties to nerve growth factor (NGF), recognized as an important mediator of pain and inflammation. Lenivia is built on a decade of science and research, with a safety profile demonstrated in a nine-month field study where dogs receiving Lenivia experienced increased mobility and decreased pain after one injection.

“As pioneers in animal health innovation and veterinary monoclonal antibody development, our scientists at Zoetis are dedicated to thoroughly understanding the distinct biology of each species. This commitment fuels our discovery and development efforts to address our customers’ unmet medical needs,” said Rob Polzer, Ph.D., Executive Vice President and President, Research and Development at Zoetis. “The European Commission’s marketing authorization for Lenivia marks another important step forward in managing osteoarthritis pain in dogs.”

Significance of OA Pain
Osteoarthritis is a common, chronic and progressive joint disease characterized by the inflammation and breakdown of joints, resulting in pain and mobility issues. Although the disease cannot be cured, much can be done to reduce the associated pain, leading to improved quality of life. Nearly 40 percent of dogs of any age or size may be affected by OA pain^{1, 2}, and chronic pain can negatively impact dogs’ movement, sleep, behavior and social relationships³.

“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,” said Dr. Guillaume Ragetly, DVM, PhD, DACVS (SA),DECVS, an orthopaedic surgeon in France. “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.”

Continued Innovation to Meet Medical Needs
Zoetis continues to advance care for animals around the globe with a robust pipeline fueled by lifecycle innovations, geographic expansion and disruptive innovation. Lenivia joins Librela^® (bedinvetmab) in the company’s growing portfolio of OA pain products for dogs. Like Librela, Lenivia is a monoclonal antibody that targets NGF; however, Lenivia is designed to reduce pain for a longer period of time by binding to a different site on NGF.

“We are pleased to introduce Lenivia as our first long-acting therapy that reduces OA pain in dogs, leading to improved quality of life and mobility. It also provides added convenience for pet owners who want to bring their dogs in for an injection just once every three months," said Richard Goldstein, DVM, DACVIM, DECVIM-CA, Global Chief Medical Officer and Head of Medical Affairs at Zoetis. "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.”

About Zoetis
As the world’s leading animal health company, Zoetis is driven by a singular purpose: to nurture our world and humankind by advancing care for animals. After innovating ways to predict, prevent, detect, and treat animal illness for more than 70 years, Zoetis continues to stand by those raising and caring for animals worldwide – from veterinarians and pet owners to livestock producers. The company’s leading portfolio and pipeline of medicines, vaccines, diagnostics and technologies make a difference in over 100 countries. A Fortune 500 company, Zoetis generated revenue of $9.3 billion in 2024 with approximately 13,800 employees. For more information, visit www.zoetis.com.

DISCLOSURE NOTICES

Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements which reflect the current views of Zoetis with respect to: our business plans or prospects; expectations regarding products, product approvals or licenses, products under development; and other future events. These statements are not guarantees of future performance or actions. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if management's underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by a forward-looking statement. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made. Zoetis expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. A further list and description of risks, uncertainties and other matters can be found in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, including in the sections thereof captioned “Forward-Looking Statements and Factors That May Affect Future Results” and “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and in our Current Reports on Form 8-K. These filings and subsequent filings are available online at www.sec.gov, www.zoetis.com, or on request from Zoetis.

All trademarks are the property of Zoetis Services LLC or a related company or a licensor unless otherwise noted. © 2025 Zoetis Services LLC. All rights reserved.

¹ Wright A, Amodie DM, Cernicchiaro N, et al. Identification of canine osteoarthritis using an owner-reported questionnaire and treatment monitoring using functional mobility tests. J Small Anim Pract. 2022;63(8):609-618.
² Enomoto M, de Castro N, Hash J, et al. Prevalence of radiographic appendicular osteoarthritis and associated clinical signs in young dogs. Sci Rep. 2024;14(1):2827.
³ Lascelles BDX, Brown DC, Conzemius MG, Gill M, Oshinsky ML, Sharkey ML. Measurement of chronic pain in companion animals: discussions from the Pain in Animals Workshop (PAW) 2017. Vet J. 2019;250:71-78.

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Media:

Jennifer Albano

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jennifer.albano@zoetis.com



Laura Panza

1-973-975-5176 (o)

laura.panza@zoetis.com



Investor:

Steve Frank

1-973-822-7141 (o)

steve.frank@zoetis.com



Nick Soonthornchai

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nick.soonthornchai@zoetis.com

Source: Zoetis Inc.