Vetbiolix Announces Publication of Landmark Proof-of-Concept Clinical Study Results for VBX-2000 in Canine Osteoarthritis in Frontiers in Veterinary Science
– The manuscript has been accepted for publication in a peer-reviewed scientific journal: “Frontiers in Veterinary Science”
– The article is in open-access at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2026.1847566
Lille, Wednesday June 10th 2026 – Vetbiolix, a France-based veterinary biotechnology company and DeepTech France 2030 awardee, announces the publication of positive results from the Proof-of-Concept clinical study (VBX2400-CL-1001 POC study) of its first-in-class drug candidate, VBX-2000, a highly selective, orally bioavailable agonist at the A3 adenosine receptor (A3AR), for canine osteoarthritis in Frontiers in Veterinary Science, a leading peer-reviewed scientific journal. The publication demonstrates that VBX-2000 is well tolerated and highlights the therapeutic potential of VBX-2000 as an innovative approach for treating canine osteoarthritis (OA).
Matthieu Dubruque, Managing Director of VETBIOLIX added: “This publication in an internationally recognized peer reviewed veterinary scientific journal, validates VBX-2000 as a potential first oral drug candidate to target adenosine A3 receptors for the treatment of canine osteoarthritis. With this innovative mechanism of action, VBX-2000 could respond to a true unmet veterinary medical need, complementing the existing veterinary therapeutic arsenal. VBX-2000 is now advancing through the development process to obtain regulatory approval in Europe and USA. A double-blind, randomized, dose-ranging, placebo-controlled clinical trial in 118 client-owned dogs suffering from osteoarthritis was launched in 2025. All dog patients have already been recruited, and top-line results are expected this summer 2026.“
Rémy Hanf, Chief Scientific Officer of VETBIOLIX indicates: “Cronstein & al. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocarto.2026.100805) have recently highlighted the essential role of Adenosine receptors in canine osteoarthritis. Cronstein & al.’s results strongly suggest that activation of joint adenosine receptors can preserve joint structure in the long term and allows clinical effects on pain and mobility to persist long after treatment is stopped. Thus, as an oral bioavailable selective A3 receptor agonist with demonstrated clinical benefits on end-points already validated by the agencies, VBX-2000 has the potential for becoming the first oral disease modifier in the veterinary OA market.”
About the VBX2400-CL-1001 POC study
The proof-of-concept clinical study (VBX2400-CL-1001 POC study) is an open-label, multicenter study (France, Belgium) seeking to evaluate the safety of use and the effects of repeated oral administration of VBX-2000 for 90 days on the mobility and pain of 20 dog patients suffering from osteoarthritis. The primary objective of the study was achieved with a progressive, dose-dependent improvement in the mobility score (LOAD questionnaire). At the highest dose tested (500 µg/kg twice daily), this effect on mobility was clinically and statistically significant after 60 days and 90 days of treatment. At the same time, a progressive and dose-dependent reduction in the pain score (Visual Analogue Scale; VAS) was obtained. At a dose of 500 µg/kg twice a day (“bid”), the reduction was statistically significant from 60 days of treatment and until the end of the 90-day treatment period. At a dose of 500 µg/kg bid after 90 days of treatment, the beneficial effect of repeated administration of VBX-2000 on arthritic pain was confirmed on the NRS2 pain score.
About VBX-2000 in canine osteoarthritis
VBX-2000 (also known as Piclidenoson) is a highly selective, orally bioavailable agonist at the A3 adenosine receptor (A3AR), a receptor involved in inflammation and cancer. Previous tolerance studies have been performed in rats, dogs and monkeys, revealing no major safety concerns. The protective role of A3R activation in OA is primarily supported by the progressive loss of cartilage and OA development observed in A3R-knockdown mice. Aligned with this hypothesis, all studies in animal models demonstrated the ability of VBX-2000 to ameliorate the manifestation of arthritic diseases. VBX-2000 was shown to be very effective in relieving chronic pain, in an A3AR-mediated mechanism that does not involve the opioid receptor. More specifically, in a rat model of adjuvant-induced arthritis, oral administration of VBX-2000 protected from degradation of joint cartilage. In a model of OA induced by surgical transection of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACLT model) in rats, VBX-2000 prevented histologic alteration of joint cartilage and showed anti-nociceptive effects.
VBX-2000 aims at stopping cartilage degradation, inflammation and pain in canine osteoarthritis. VBX-2000 is currently in clinical development to obtain regulatory approval as the first veterinary disease-modifier treatment of osteoarthritis in companion animals, within a global therapeutic pet OA market expected to reach 4,85 Bn$ by 2031.
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