FDA Grants Marketing Authorization for Bonqat® – A Novel Pregabalin Formulation for Feline Anxiety Management

Orion Corporation announced a significant regulatory milestone on November 20, 2023, as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared Bonqat® (pregabalin oral solution), marking the first approval of pregabalin as a veterinary therapeutic agent. This oral solution targets acute anxiety and fear responses in cats during critical situations such as transportation and clinical examinations at veterinary facilities.

The Science Behind Bonqat

Pregabalin operates through a unique mechanism of action within the central nervous system, where it suppresses the release of key neurotransmitters including glutamate and monoamines. This neurochemical modulation produces a calming effect, offering veterinarians and pet owners a pharmacological option for managing feline behavioral anxiety. As a novel active ingredient in the veterinary pharmaceutical space, Bonqat represents an advancement in animal behavioral health treatments.

Market Availability and Partnership

Zoetis, the global leader in animal health solutions, holds exclusive commercialization rights for Bonqat in the United States. The product is expected to reach the market by mid-2024, following the FDA authorization. This collaboration leverages Orion’s pharmaceutical expertise with Zoetis’s extensive distribution network across veterinary channels.

About the Companies

Orion, a Finnish-based pharmaceutical manufacturer, operates across both human and animal health sectors. The company’s 2022 financial performance showed net sales of EUR 1,341 million, supported by approximately 3,500 employees. Orion’s research and development portfolio emphasizes oncology and pain management, with proprietary formulations addressing cancer, neurological conditions, and respiratory diseases.

Zoetis stands as the world’s largest animal health enterprise, generating $8.1 billion in revenue during 2022 with roughly 13,800 staff members across more than 100 countries. The organization specializes in developing medicines, vaccines, diagnostic tools, and innovative technologies for companion animals and livestock sectors, building on over seven decades of animal health advancement.