Zoetis launches Lenivia®, a three-month osteoarthritis injection for dogs in Canada and Europe

Zoetis has launched Lenivia®, a new monoclonal antibody injection that provides up to three months of osteoarthritis pain relief for dogs with a single dose, expanding treatment options for veterinarians in Canada and the European Union.

A new long-acting option for canine osteoarthritis

Managing osteoarthritis in dogs may soon become a little easier for veterinarians and pet owners in Canada and the European Union.

Zoetis has announced the launch of Lenivia® (izenivetmab injection), a long-acting monoclonal antibody therapy designed to provide up to three months of osteoarthritis (OA) pain relief from a single subcutaneous injection. The therapy targets nerve growth factor (NGF), a key driver of pain and inflammation, and offers one of the longest dosing intervals currently available for canine OA management.

According to Zoetis, pain reduction was observed as early as seven days after the first injection in a pivotal nine-month European clinical field study.

Why this matters

Osteoarthritis remains one of the most common chronic diseases affecting aging dogs.

Recent research suggests that up to 40% of dogs may show radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis, even when clinical signs are subtle. Left unmanaged, chronic pain can affect far more than mobility. Dogs with OA often experience changes in sleep patterns, behavior, activity levels, and social interactions.

As veterinary medicine continues to help pets live longer, veterinarians are seeing more senior patients with chronic conditions that require long-term pain management strategies.

For many owners, maintaining monthly treatment schedules can be challenging. A medication requiring administration only four times per year may improve treatment compliance while reducing the number of veterinary visits required for ongoing pain control.

How Lenivia works

Lenivia is a monoclonal antibody that targets nerve growth factor (NGF), a protein involved in transmitting pain signals and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis.

Unlike traditional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), monoclonal antibody therapies work by selectively binding to NGF, helping interrupt pain signaling without relying on the same mechanisms as NSAIDs.

Zoetis notes that Lenivia binds to a different site on NGF than previously commercialized anti-NGF therapies.

The treatment is administered as a single subcutaneous injection every three months.

A growing osteoarthritis portfolio

Lenivia joins Zoetis' expanding canine osteoarthritis portfolio, which already includes:

• Rimadyl® (carprofen)

• Trocoxil® (mavacoxib)

• Librela® (bedinvetmab)

The company says the addition of Lenivia reflects its continued investment in long-term pain management and biologic therapies for companion animals.

"Osteoarthritis affects millions of dogs across Europe and Canada," said Jamie Brannan, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Zoetis. "A longer dosing interval can help free up capacity in the practice while offering pet owners greater convenience and improved compliance."

Safety considerations

Lenivia is approved for the management of pain associated with canine osteoarthritis and should be used under veterinary supervision.

The medication should not be used in:

• Breeding dogs

• Pregnant dogs

• Lactating dogs

• Puppies younger than 12 months

• Dogs with known hypersensitivity to izenivetmab

Reported adverse events during clinical development included temporary injection-site pain. Less commonly reported reactions included balance problems (ataxia), increased thirst, and increased urination. Canadian product information also lists weakness, decreased appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea among potential adverse effects.

Veterinarians should consult the approved product labeling in their jurisdiction before prescribing the medication.

The bigger picture

Long-acting biologic therapies continue to reshape pain management in veterinary medicine.

As companion animals live longer, veterinarians are increasingly looking for treatment options that balance efficacy, safety, owner convenience, and long-term compliance. Monoclonal antibody therapies have emerged as one of the fastest-growing areas of companion animal medicine, offering highly targeted approaches to chronic disease management.

Whether Lenivia becomes a widely adopted option will likely depend on clinical experience, regional availability, cost, and how it complements existing OA treatment plans. For now, its introduction gives veterinarians in Canada and Europe another tool to help improve quality of life for dogs living with chronic osteoarthritis.

Lenivia Key Takeaways

• Zoetis has launched Lenivia® (izenivetmab injection) in Canada and European Union member states.

• A single injection provides up to three months of osteoarthritis pain relief.

• Pain reduction was observed as early as Day 7 in clinical studies.

• Lenivia targets nerve growth factor (NGF) using monoclonal antibody technology.

• The therapy expands Zoetis' canine osteoarthritis portfolio alongside Rimadyl®, Trocoxil®, and Librela®.

• The product is currently available in Canada and the European Union.

Source: Zoetis Inc.