Zoetis gains UK approval for longer-acting feline osteoarthritis treatment Portela

Zoetis has received UK approval for Portela, a long-acting injection that manages osteoarthritis pain in cats for up to three months, aiming to improve chronic pain treatment and address diagnostic gaps.

Zoetis has secured UK approval from the Veterinary Medicines Directorate for Portela, a long-acting injection intended to ease osteoarthritis pain in cats for up to three months. The move adds a longer-interval option to the company’s feline pain range, which already includes Solensia, a monthly anti-NGF monoclonal antibody treatment.

According to Zoetis, Portela works by targeting nerve growth factor, a key driver of pain and inflammation in osteoarthritis. In a nine-month European field study, the treatment showed benefit quickly, with improvements seen as early as three days after the first injection. The company says the product has been designed to make chronic pain management less burdensome for both owners and veterinary teams.

The approval comes against a backdrop of under-recognition. Zoetis research suggests only 18% of cats with osteoarthritis pain are diagnosed by veterinary professionals, leaving many without treatment. That diagnostic gap matters because osteoarthritis becomes more common as cats age, yet signs are often subtle and easily mistaken for normal ageing or behavioural change.

Julia von Gablenz, regional president for Europe and the Middle East at Zoetis, said owners often struggle with oral medicines and the stress of frequent clinic visits, particularly for cats. She said Portela is meant to address those practical barriers by offering a single injection every three months.

The UK decision follows earlier regulatory progress in Europe and Canada, reflecting broader momentum behind longer-acting options for chronic feline pain.

Image Source: Zoetis