Breakthrough Therapy Shows Promise in Slowing Canine Osteoarthritis

A newly published study is reshaping how veterinarians approach osteoarthritis in dogs, suggesting that a novel treatment may do more than just relieve symptoms—it could actually modify the course of the disease.

The therapy, known as Synovetin OA, uses tin-117m (Sn-117m) microparticles delivered via radiosynoviorthesis, a procedure in which radioactive particles are injected directly into affected joints. According to research published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science, this approach interrupts the inflammatory cycle that drives osteoarthritis, offering long-term relief and potentially halting disease progression.

In preclinical trials with rats, the treatment reduced joint inflammation by 73% and cartilage degeneration by 65%, while also limiting osteophyte formation. Clinical trials in dogs with mild to severe elbow osteoarthritis showed sustained pain relief and improved joint function for up to one year following a single outpatient injection—even after the active particles had dissipated.

“Until now, most arthritis treatments have focused on symptom management,” said Dr. Bob Menardi, Chief Veterinary Officer at Exubrion Therapeutics. “This therapy targets the root cause—inflammation—and may actually slow the disease itself.”

The study also compared Synovetin OA to traditional treatments like NSAIDs and corticosteroids, noting that while those options can reduce pain, they often fail to address underlying pathology and may carry long-term risks such as cartilage thinning and bone loss.

With osteoarthritis affecting 1 in 4 adult dogs and up to 80% of senior dogs, the implications of a disease-modifying therapy are significant. Thousands of canine patients have already received Synovetin OA since its launch in 2021, and the new data could pave the way for broader adoption.

Source

1. ^{Newly published research shows groundbreaking joint treatment changes the course of dog arthritis management. News release. Exubrion Therapeutics. July 22, 2025. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/newly-published-research-shows-groundbreaking-joint-treatment-changes-the-course-of-dog-arthritis-management-302510973.html}
2. ^{Bendele A, Doerr CA, Gonzales GR, Menardi R, Schreiber E, Stevenson NR. Evidence of osteoarthritis disease modification with a Sn‑117m microparticle device: a review and validation in mammalian models. Front Vet Sci. 2025;12:1621296. doi:10.3389/fvets.2025.1621296}