Zoetis Secures USDA License for 75-Day Cytopoint Plus

Zoetis has received a US Department of Agriculture licence for Cytopoint Plus, positioned as the first and only USDA-licensed monoclonal antibody offering 75 days of allergic itch relief in dogs. Announced on 11 November 2026, the product extends Zoetis’ canine dermatology franchise with a substantially longer dosing interval than the existing Cytopoint, sharpening commercial positioning across the fast-growing companion animal allergic dermatitis market and reinforcing the quarterly-dosed mAb franchise strategy.

Cytopoint Plus targets and neutralises interleukin-31 (IL-31), a cytokine involved in transmitting itch signals, working through the same mechanism as the existing Cytopoint. A single veterinarian-administered subcutaneous injection delivers relief starting within one day and lasting through Day 75, with dosing every 75 days as needed (approximately 10.7 weeks), compared with every four to eight weeks for Cytopoint. Zoetis reports efficacy through Day 75 and a safety profile similar to Cytopoint, with some dogs showing itch-score reductions compared with controls through Day 90, though the licensed duration is 75 days. Abhay Nayak, Zoetis Executive Vice President and President of US Commercial Operations, framed the licence as setting a new benchmark in canine dermatology. Dr Lindsay McKay (Animal Dermatology Group) noted the scheduling benefit for busy pet caregivers, while Dr Tiffany Tapp (Veterinary Healing Arts) flagged affordability and dosing-interval relevance, particularly for owners of larger dogs.

The commercial opportunity rests on substantial addressable patient volumes: Zoetis cites allergic dermatitis as the leading reason pet owners seek veterinary care, with approximately one in four dogs seen by vets presenting with itching and allergic dermatitis diagnosed in an estimated 15-20% of itchy dogs. The 75-day dosing interval reshapes the clinical workflow economics, reducing the number of veterinary visits required per year from potentially six to nine (at four- to eight-week intervals) down to approximately five, with corresponding reductions in client friction and lifetime treatment cost. Cytopoint Plus joins Zoetis’ broader canine dermatology portfolio alongside Cytopoint, Apoquel tablets and Apoquel Chewable, and extends the company’s quarterly-dosed mAb franchise strategy that already covers OA pain (Lenivia in dogs, Portela in cats). Launch timing and pricing were not disclosed.

The commercial signal is a maturing companion animal monoclonal antibody category where long-acting dosing intervals are reshaping veterinary workflow economics, client compliance and chronic condition management across dermatology and OA pain. Cytopoint Plus reinforces Zoetis’ quarterly-dosed mAb franchise strategy. Expect sustained investment in companion animal mAb pipeline development and continued focus on long-acting dosing-interval product development through 2027 and 2028.

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