Quick Takeaways:
- Boehringer Ingelheim has launched Scovella (velagliflozin oral solution) in Great Britain as the first therapy specifically developed and licensed to treat hyperinsulinemia in insulin-dysregulated horses and ponies, targeting a key driver of laminitis.
- Scovella, an equine-specific SGLT-2 inhibitor, rapidly reduces elevated insulin levels, with effects seen within days. In a dietary challenge study, none of the treated animals developed clinical laminitis versus 38% of untreated controls, supporting its potential in disease management.
- With insulin dysregulation estimated to contribute to over 90% of laminitis cases, Scovella addresses a major unmet need in equine health. The treatment will be available to prescribing veterinarians in Great Britain from September 2026, with launches in additional markets planned
Why It Matters?
The UK launch of Scovella (velagliflozin oral solution) creates the first licensed, equine‑specific treatment for hyperinsulinemia, directly targeting the main driver behind most laminitis cases and shifting management from off‑label human SGLT2 inhibitors to a purpose‑built veterinary product. By offering a rapid insulin‑lowering therapy with evidence of reduced laminitis risk in challenge studies, Boehringer Ingelheim can capture a large, underserved segment of horses and ponies with insulin dysregulation, encourage earlier pharmacologic intervention alongside diet and exercise, and set a new standard of care that competitors will need to match as the product rolls out to additional markets.
Source: Globenewswire
