Researchers Close In on New Drug to Treat FIP

Researchers at Kansas State University and the University of California, Davis may be on the verge of a breakthrough in feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) treatment that could potentially extend the lifespan and quality of life for cats suffering from this deadly disease. As a result, they are promoting the commercial development of GC376, an antiviral compound used to treat FIP.

FIP is a progressive and fatal disease caused by a feline coronavirus that can affect both domestic and wild cats. 

Feline coronaviruses are the cause of viral enteritis, which is typically harmless. But in rare instances, FIP can arise, spread throughout the body and cause death, particularly in cats age 2 and younger. 

A licensing agreement coordinated by the Kansas State University Institute for Commercialization with Anivive Lifesciences, a California company whose proprietary software accelerates the discovery and development process of new pet medicines, will have both parties working together to hopefully bring this new drug to market. 

The approval process, overseen by the Food and Drug Administration's Center for Veterinary Medicine,

 requires several steps documenting the efficacy, safety and manufacturing of the compound. 

While GC376 is still several years from release, if FDA approval is successful, 

it promises to revolutionize treatment of this fatal disease!