March 24, 2025

Librela provided equivalent efficacy to meloxicam for managing osteoarthritis (OA) pain and was associated with fewer adverse events in study.

Parsippany, NJ March 24, 2025 – Zoetis announced results from the first clinical trial comparing Librela^® (bedinvetmab) to meloxicam for managing canine osteoarthritis (OA) pain. In this Zoetis-sponsored study, published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science^[i], Librela, a canine anti-nerve growth factor monoclonal antibody, provided equivalent pain relief to a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). This new study data supports previously published guidelines that recommend both Librela and NSAIDs as first line therapy for managing OA pain^{[ii],[iii],[iv]} 

"The results of this clinical trial provide veterinarians with the first data directly comparing the efficacy and safety of Librela to meloxicam. This new information is valuable for clinicians and pet owners when making treatment decisions for canine OA pain. My experience using Librela in the clinic for over four years aligns with the findings from this study," said Professor Innes, RCVS Specialist, Movement Referrals. 

Study Design
The eight-week randomized, open-label, multi-center, comparator study was conducted across eight primary care veterinary practices in the United Kingdom. Dogs presenting with newly identified OA or previously diagnosed OA that were only receiving nutraceuticals were considered for inclusion. Eligible dogs were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups in order of presentation to the clinic. The study enrolled 101 dogs with 52 randomized to Librela and 49 dogs randomized to meloxicam.

The primary endpoint for efficacy was measured by a change in baseline score per the Canine Orthopaedic Index (COI), a validated, client-reported outcomes measure. 

Due to the small sample size and short duration of this study, statistical differences in adverse event numbers between the two groups could not be evaluated.

Study Results 

The results of the study indicate that Librela performed as well as meloxicam for the management of pain associated with OA starting at day 14 (the first time measured). Both products showed improving efficacy over the 56-day period. More dogs completed the study in the Librela group (n=44) compared to the meloxicam group (n=33). While there was a positive trend observed in mean reduction in COI scores for the Librela group, there was a non-significant difference in efficacy measured between the two products. In this study, Librela was associated with fewer AEs than meloxicam. 

All adverse events (AEs) were recorded throughout the study and reported through the pharmacovigilance system.

· At least one AE was reported for 17 dogs in the meloxicam group and 4 dogs in the Librela group.

· AEs in the meloxicam group, organized by system organ class, included Gastrointestinal (9), Musculoskeletal disorders (3), Neurological disorders (3), Skin and appendages disorders (1), Behavioural disorders (1)

· In the Librela group, AEs included Musculoskeletal disorders (2), Skin and appendage disorders (an interdigital cyst) (1) and Systemic disorders (i.e. polydipsia) (1).

AE reports do not necessarily imply causality. 

“Zoetis is committed to generating post-approval data on new innovations, like Librela. We previously shared study results showing that Librela improves quality of life in dogs. Zoetis supports peer reviewed clinical research, and we are excited to see the results of those studies, such as this first comparative trial, being shared with veterinarians” said Dr. Richard Goldstein, Global Chief Medical Officer and Head of Medical Affairs at Zoetis.

About Canine Osteoarthritis 
One of the most common causes of chronic pain in dogs,^[v] OA is estimated to occur in nearly 40% of the world canine population.^[vi] The chronic and progressive joint disease leads to structural and functional decline of the joint with associated lameness and pain, having broad negative medical impacts and reducing the dog’s quality of life.^[vii],[viii] This makes identifying and treating OA pain important for a dog’s overall well-being.

About Librela™ (bedinvetmab injection)
Librela is a monoclonal antibody therapy administered in the clinic that targets Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) to control canine OA pain. Librela is similar in many ways to naturally produced antibodies and is metabolized and eliminated via normal protein degradation pathways with minimal involvement of the liver or kidneys.^[ix] Librela was first commercialized in 2021 in Europe and now is available in over 25 countries worldwide. Since launch over 25 million doses of Librela have been distributed. To learn more, please visit zoetisus.com/products/dogs/librela.

Librela™ Important Safety Information 
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: See full Prescribing Information. For use in dogs only. Women who are pregnant, trying to conceive or breastfeeding should take extreme care to avoid self-injection. Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, could potentially occur with self-injection. Librela should not be used in breeding, pregnant or lactating dogs. Librela should not be administered to dogs with known hypersensitivity to bedinvetmab. The most common adverse events reported in a clinical study were urinary tract infections, bacterial skin infections and dermatitis.

INDICATIONS: For the control of pain associated with osteoarthritis in dogs.

See the Client Information Sheet for more information about Librela.

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 innovating ways to predict, prevent, detect, and treat animal illness for more than 70 years, Zoetis continues to stand by those raising and caring for animals worldwide – from veterinarians and pet owners to livestock producers. 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 $9.3 billion in 2024 with approximately 13,800 employees. For more information, visit www.zoetis.com.

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[i] Innes JF, Lascelles BDX, Bell D, Tulloch R, McVey A, Northcott C, Welbourn M, Higgins K, Horakova V and Maddox TW (2025) A randomised, parallel-group clinical trial comparing bedinvetmab to meloxicam for the management of canine osteoarthritis. Front. Vet. Sci. 12:1502218. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1502218.

[ii] Monteiro BP, Lascelles BDX, Murrell J, et al. 2002 WSAVA guidelines for the recognition, assessment and treatment of pain. J Small Anim Pract 2023;64(4):177-254.

[iii] Gruen ME, Lascelles BDX, Colleran E, et al. 2022 AAHA pain management guidelines for dogs and cats. JAAHA. 2022;58(2):55-76.

[iv] Cachon T, Frykman O, Innes JF, et al. COAST Development Group’s international consensus guidelines for the treatment of canine osteoarthritis. Front Vet Sci. 2023;10:1137888.

[v] Eckman D. Pet Talk, VMBS. Chronic Pain in Pets Part 1: Causes, Symptoms and Prevention. (2022) https://vetmed.tamu.edu/news/pet-talk/chronic-pain-part-1/.

[vi] Wright A, Amodie D, Cernicchiaro N, et al. Diagnosis and Treatment Rates of Osteoarthritis in Dogs Using a Health Risk Assessment (HRA) or Questionnaire for Osteoarthritis for General Veterinary Practice. Value Health. 2019;22:S387.

[vii] Lascelles BDX, Brown DC, Conzemius MG, et al. Measurement of chronic pain in companion animals: discussions from the Pain in Animals Workshop (PAW) 2017. Vet J. 2019;250:71-78.

[viii] Reid J, Gildea E, Davies V, et al. Measuring the effect of the anti-nerve growth factor antibodies bedinvetmab and frunevetmab on quality of life in dogs and cats with osteoarthritis using a validated health-related quality of life outcome measure: an observational real-world study. Front Vet Sci. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1395360.

[ix] Keizer RJ, et al. Clinical pharmacokinetics of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies. ClinPharmacokinet. 2010;49(8):493-507.