Vetbiolix announces initiation of randomized, placebo-controlled study to confirm clinical benefit with VBX-1000 (MIV-701) in canine periodontitis
- Inclusion of the first 10 dogs, out of a total of 51, within one month of recruitment opening
- Top-line results are expected by Q4-2026
- Potential for first-in-line therapy in canine periodontitis
Lille, February 12th 2026 – Vetbiolix, a veterinary biotechnology company based in France dedicated to the clinical development of First-in-Class drug candidates for the treatment of periodontitis, osteoarthritis and gastric motility disorders in dogs and cats, announces the recruitment of the 10 first dogs patients in the multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, dose-ranging pilot study VBX1200-CL-2001 evaluating the efficacy and safety of VBX-1000 (MIV-701), a cathepsin K inhibitor, in client-owned dogs with alveolar bone loss due to stage 2 or 3 periodontal disease (PD2–PD3) affecting at least three teeth
The primary objective of the study is to confirm the Landmark Proof-of-Concept clinical study results published in November 2025 by comparing VBX-1000 (MIV-701) with placebo in reducing clinical attachment loss in dogs with stage 2 or 3 periodontal disease and alveolar bone loss, over a 90-day treatment period. Eligible dogs will be randomized in a 1:1:1 ratio to one of three treatment groups:
- Dose 1 (n≈17): VBX-1000 (MIV-701) at 15 mg/kg/day, administered orally once daily as capsules.
- Dose 2 (n≈17): VBX-1000 (MIV-701) at 45 mg/kg/day, administered orally once daily as capsules.
- Placebo (n≈17): Matching placebo capsules, administered orally once daily.
The secondary objectives of the study relate to evaluate the efficacy of VBX-1000 compared with placebo (i) in reducing alveolar bone loss, as measured by (a) dental radiography and/or (b) cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), (ii) in improving periodontal parameters, including periodontal probing depth (PPD) and bleeding on probing (BoP), (iii) in reducing plasma levels of C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX-1), a biomarker of bone resorption, and to assess the safety and tolerability of VBX-1000 compared with placebo through monitoring of adverse events, hematology, biochemistry, urinalysis, and vital signs.
Matthieu DUBRUQUE, Managing Director of VETBIOLIX indicates: “The inclusion of the first patients is a crucial step for our team. We are confident, considering exciting clinical data recently published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science (https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1656782/full), that VBX-1000 will significantly improve the management of canine periodontitis, a condition for which there is currently no therapeutic treatment other than surgery. The strong involvement of clinicians specializing in veterinary dentistry in the set-up of our clinical study, and now in active recruitment of dogs patients, demonstrates the significant expectation of the veterinary community and pet owners for a better management of periodontitis.“
About VBX-1000 and canine / feline periodontitis
VBX-1000 (also known as MIV-701) is a new, highly selective cathepsin K inhibitor. Previous tolerance studies have been performed in rats, dogs and monkeys, revealing no major safety concerns. VBX-1000 aims at promoting alveolar bone reformation in canine & feline periodontitis. VBX-1000 is currently in clinical development to obtain regulatory approval as the first veterinary disease-modifier treatment of periodontitis in companion animals, within a global pet oral care market expected to reach 12 Bn$ by 2035.
About Vetbiolix – https://www.vetbiolix.com
Vetbiolix develops first-in-class clinical-stage drug candidates (oral small molecules) for the treatment of canine and feline periodontitis, osteoarthritis and intestinal motility disorders. Vetbiolix has built a unique pipeline of innovative drug candidates licensed (exclusive and worldwide license) from Human Health Biotech companies worldwide that will address unmet veterinary medical needs. Vetbiolix focuses exclusively on the clinical developments of its drug candidates and invests in (i) proof-of-concept clinical studies, (ii) CMC-Pharmaceutical developments, and (iii) regulatory clinical pilot and pivotal studies. The company’s revenue generation will be based on sublicensing and/or co-development agreements with the veterinary pharmaceutical industry.
Contact: matthieu.dubruque@vetbiolix.com