Zoetis’s Portela gains UK approval to simplify long-term feline osteoarthritis treatment

Zoetis has secured UK regulatory approval for Portela, a long-acting injection designed to provide up to three months of pain relief for cats with osteoarthritis, addressing challenges of regular medication and low diagnosis rates.

Zoetis has won UK approval from the Veterinary Medicines Directorate for Portela, a long-acting injection for cats with osteoarthritis that is designed to provide pain relief for up to three months. The authorisation follows the European Commission’s earlier marketing approval for the treatment, which Zoetis has already launched in Canada and the European Union.

According to Zoetis, Portela, also known as relfovetmab, targets nerve growth factor, a key driver of pain and inflammation in osteoarthritis. In a nine-month European field study, the company said improvement was seen within three days of the first injection. It also said the medicine was generally well tolerated, including in cats with kidney disease at IRIS stages 1, 2 or 3.

The approval broadens Zoetis’s feline osteoarthritis range, which already includes Solensia, a monthly anti-NGF treatment. Portela’s longer dosing interval is intended to make chronic pain management easier for owners and veterinarians alike, particularly because many cats are difficult to medicate regularly and often dislike repeated clinic visits.

Zoetis has said only 18% of cats with osteoarthritis pain are diagnosed by veterinary professionals, underscoring the scale of undertreatment.

Julia von Gablenz, regional president for Europe and the Middle East, said the product addresses “real practical challenges” in managing chronic feline pain.

Image Source: Zoetis