Daewoong Pet Co., Ltd. (CEO: Jae-bong Moon), a leading pet healthcare company, has successfully completed a Proof-of-Concept (POC) clinical study of stem cell-derived exosomes (DW-MSC EVs) in companion dogs. The results were published in the international peer-reviewed journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science.

The study, conducted in collaboration with the Cell Therapy Research Center at Daewoong Pharmaceutical, was published in March under the title: “Evaluation of cognitive and mobility function in geriatric dogs following treatment with stem cell and stem cell extracellular vesicles derived from embryonic stem cells: a pilot study.”

A total of 42 senior dogs (aged 11 years and older) participated in the study. Twenty-one dogs received mesenchymal stem cells (DW-MSC) via a single intravenous (IV) injection, while the other 21 received exosomes (DW-MSC EVs) via two subcutaneous (SC) injections administered one week apart. Researchers evaluated overall vitality, appetite, cognitive function, and mobility. Cognitive improvement was assessed using the Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Rating scale (CCDR), and mobility improvement was measured using the Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs index (LOAD).

The results demonstrated that both stem cells and exosomes contributed to improved vitality and appetite, as well as clinical improvements in cognitive and mobility functions in senior dogs. Notably, exosome therapy (DW-MSC EVs) showed significant benefits even in dogs with mild conditions.

The research team commented:
“Stem cells and stem cell-derived exosomes contain neurotrophic factors, growth factors, and anti-inflammatory components that promote neural regeneration, reduce inflammation, and support tissue repair. Both treatments improved the overall quality of life (QoL) of senior dogs without major adverse effects. These findings suggest that they represent promising therapeutic options for the clinical management of degenerative conditions such as cognitive dysfunction and musculoskeletal disorders in aging dogs.”

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