Loyal Raises $27M to Help Dog Owners Spend More Time With Pets

Loyal: A San Francisco Startup Pioneering Longevity Research Through Canine Studies

A new San Francisco-based company, Loyal, is challenging conventional perspectives on longevity, initiating its research with domestic dogs.

Series A Funding and Company Background

The company successfully secured $27 million in Series A funding. This investment round was spearheaded by Khosla Ventures and included participation from First Round Capital, Box Group, Collaborative Fund, The Longevity Fund, and Lachy Groom.

Notably, all these firms were also investors in Loyal’s initial $11 million seed round completed in 2020, alongside a cohort of angel investors. Since its establishment in 2019, Loyal has amassed a total of $38 million in funding under the leadership of founder and CEO, Celine Halioua.

Championing Female Leadership in Deep Tech

Halioua emphasizes the significance of her investor base, highlighting that 50% are women. This composition reflects a commitment to fostering greater female representation within the fields of deep technology and longevity science.

Halioua’s own background is deeply rooted in these areas. Her academic journey began with neuroscience studies at The University of Texas, followed by a period of research in gene therapy at the University of Oxford. She later transitioned to The Longevity Fund, serving as chief of staff and an entrepreneur-in-residence.

The Expanding Anti-Aging Market

The global market for anti-aging drugs was estimated at almost $8 billion in 2020. Projections indicate this market will experience a doubling in value by 2027.

While treatments like Botox are widely recognized for cosmetic benefits, Halioua explained to TechCrunch that addressing aging at a fundamental level could offer preventative strategies for age-related human diseases, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

The Canine Connection to Human Longevity

Loyal’s core belief is that advancements in canine healthspan and lifespan research will yield valuable insights applicable to humans. Dogs share similarities with humans in terms of lifespan and are exposed to comparable environmental factors and dietary habits.

Furthermore, dogs can develop the same age-related ailments as humans, including cardiac issues and cancer, making them a relevant model for study.

Developing Therapeutics Through Citizen Science

Loyal is constructing an animal pharmaceutical company dedicated to creating therapies that extend both the lifespan and healthspan of dogs. The company is leveraging citizen science studies involving over 500 dogs to gain a deeper understanding of canine aging.

This research and development effort is intended to ultimately translate into products designed for human use.

Company Growth and Future Plans

Over the past year, Loyal has expanded its team from three to thirty employees. The recent funding will facilitate the growth of its computational biology team, allowing for continued focus on its product pipeline.

This pipeline includes a therapeutic aimed at extending the lives of large-breed dogs, which typically have shorter lifespans than smaller breeds, and another focused on enhancing cognitive function.

Clinical Trials and FDA Approval

Both of these therapies are slated to enter clinical trials in the coming year, with the goal of achieving U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval. Halioua stated that demonstrating the efficacy of these drugs – their ability to promote longer, healthier lives for dogs – is a key priority.

Following successful trials, Loyal intends to establish a direct-to-consumer brand, selling its products directly to both veterinarians and pet owners.

Quantifying the Aging Process

“Our immediate focus is on expanding our biology team and accumulating data to tackle the complex challenge of quantifying the aging process,” Halioua added. “We aim to create a pharmaceutical brand that resonates positively with consumers, offering a solution for a joyful outcome – extending a dog’s life.”

The Growing Pet Industry and Venture Capital Investment

The pet industry represents a substantial market, with American spending on pets reaching nearly $100 billion in 2020, an increase from $95.7 billion in 2019, according to the American Pet Products Association.

Venture capital investment in this sector is also on the rise. For instance, Embark Veterinary secured $75 million in funding from SoftBank in July, focusing on DNA testing to prevent diseases and potentially increase canine lifespan by three years within the next decade.

A Significant Opportunity in Pet Health

Alexander Morgan, M.D. Ph.D., a partner at Khosla Ventures, noted the vibrancy of the pet health space. He believes Loyal could establish a large and profitable business even if it solely focused on the canine market.

Dogs as a Model for Human Health

Morgan also highlighted the value of dogs as a model for human health research, acknowledging the challenge of definitively proving a drug’s benefits.

Loyal’s Differentiated Approach

“Loyal is adopting a focused approach to longevity,” Morgan said. “Their differentiation lies in their emphasis on both overall lifespan and healthspan. Maintaining healthspan is crucial, as extending life without health is undesirable.”