SOLENSIA® is now registered!

Zoetis Australia Receives APVMA Approval for Solensia® (frunevetmab), a New Therapy for Feline Osteoarthritis (OA) Pain

• Solensia is the first injectable monoclonal antibody (mAb) licensed for alleviation of pain associated with osteoarthritis (OA) in cats
• Solensia works as a monthly treatment targeting Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), a key player in OA pain

March 14^th 2022 - Zoetis Australia today announced that the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority has granted approval for Solensia, a new feline osteoarthritis treatment to alleviate pain. Osteoarthritis in cats is a very prevalent condition¹, existing in 40% of cats, and may generate pain and limit a cat’s comfort and quality of life if not treated.

Solensia works differently from current treatment options, by targeting Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), a key player in osteoarthritis (OA) pain. ¹’² It functions like naturally occurring antibodies, with minimal involvement of the liver or kidneys in their metabolism and elimination process, and minimal gastrointestinal impact. ³ It is delivered by the veterinarian as a monthly injection (under the skin).

Improved quality of life for cats and their owners

By alleviating pain, Solensia helps generally improve physical activity level, sociability and quality of life of cats with OA. This new product’s benefits are effective pain relief, combined with a positive safety profile in a monthly injectable treatment for OA pain in cats. In a clinical study over three months, pet owners observed signs of pain, including physical activity level, sociability, and quality of life. A total of 76% of cat owners reported sustained improvement in signs of pain when their cats were treated with Solensia®⁴.

Sarah Goldsmid⁵, BVSc MVetClinStud FACVSc, Small Animal Surgical Specialist and Director at the Animal Referral Hospital, said: “Osteoarthritis in cats is one of the most prevalent and underdiagnosed conditions in our feline patients. It is estimated that 40% of all cats have clinical signs associated with OA and more than 90% of cats over the age of 12 years show radiographic evidence of OA. Cats, unlike dogs, often do not exhibit an obvious lameness, however OA pain can still have significant effects on their quality of life. Changes in sleep, cognitive function, behaviour and social interactions are all common signs of OA pain in cats. Even when diagnosed with OA pain, we currently have limited options for chronic pain management in cats.”

Dr. Ilze Nel, BVSc MBA, Veterinary Operations Manager at Zoetis said: “In my experience, I have learned that cats can hide their pain well. Cat owners used to come in when their cats were showing signs of discomfort like sleeping more, hesitation to jump, stiffness walking or lack of activity, but they thought these were just ‘normal’ ageing behaviours. Thanks to this new long-acting injection, veterinarians in Australia will now have a breakthrough solution available for the management of pain associated with osteoarthritis in cats to improve the quality of life of their pets.”

About Solensia
Solensia is a monoclonal antibody designed specifically for cats. It neutralises Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), a key player involved in osteoarthritis in cats, and in doing so reduces pain. During the pivotal clinical trial, Solensia demonstrated a positive profile, and a total of 76% of cat owners reported sustained improvement in signs of pain when their cats were treated.

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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 70 years innovating ways to predict, prevent, detect, and treat animal illness, Zoetis continues to stand by those raising and caring for animals worldwide – from livestock farmers to veterinarians and pet owners. 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 $7.8 billion in 2021 with approximately 12,100 employees. For more information, visit www.zoetis.com

1. Enomoto M, Mantyh PW, Murrell J, et al. Anti-nerve growth factor monoclonal antibodies for the control of pain in dogs and cats. Vet Rec. 2019;184(1):23
2. Schmelz, M., Mantyh, P., Malfait, A.M., Farrar, J., Yaksh, T., Tive, L. and Viktrup, L., 2019. Nerve growth factor antibody for the treatment of osteoarthritis pain and chronic low-back pain: mechanism of action in the context of efficacy and safety. Pain, 160(10), p.2210.
3. Keizer RJ, Huitema AD, Schellens JH, Beijnen JH. Clinical pharmacokinetics of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies. Clin Pharmacokinet. 2010;49(8):493-507
4. Solensia Product Label Australia
5. Dr. Goldsmid has a consulting relationship with Zoetis.

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