Elanco has announced that Galliprant (grapiprant), its new treatment for canine osteoarthritis pain, is now available in the UK.

Galliprant is a first in a class of drugs called piprants, or non-COX-inhibiting prostaglandin receptor antagonists (PRAs), which specifically target the EP4 receptor largely responsible for OA pain and inflammation1,3 without interfering with other prostanoids and receptors, thereby minimising the impact on gastrointestinal and kidney homeostasis.1,4

According to Elanco, the main benefit of the new drug is that it can be given in the earlier stages of the disease; from first diagnosis in fact. Speaking at the London Vet Show in 2018, Dr Kristin Kirkby Shaw, Surgeon and Rehabilitation Specialist at the Animal Surgical Clinic of Seattle, said: "…being much more targeted, it makes us feel more comfortable starting this product in an earlier stage of osteoarthritis."

In the target animal safety study, Galliprant was well-tolerated over 9 months at doses equivalent to 15 times the target dose.5 Kristen said: "I challenge anyone to think of another product that has been given in a safety study at that high of a level for that duration of time."

The efficacy of Galliprant was demonstrated in the field study at the licensed target dose of 2mg/kg body weight, with treatment success seen by owners in their dogs at home, and confirmed by vet assessment.2 Owners saw statistically significant improvements in pain severity and interference with daily activities vs placebo at days 7, 14, 21 and 28.2

For more information, visit www.galliprant.co.uk. You can also watch Dr Kristen Kirkby Shaw's London Vet Show presentation and other expert opinion here.

References:

  1. Kirkby Shaw K et al. Vet Med Sci. 2016;2:3-9. 
  2. Rausch-Derra L et al. J Vet Intern Med. 2016;30:756-763. 
  3. Woodward DF et al. Pharmacol Rev.2011;63(3):471-538. 
  4. Giorgi M. Am J Anim Vet Sci. 2015;10(2):53-56. 
  5. Rausch-Derra LC et al. Am J Vet Res. 2015;76(10):853-859.

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