AKS-562c — Akston's Once-Weekly Cat GLP-1 Injection

AKS-562c is Akston Biosciences' investigational GLP-1 receptor agonist for feline weight management — a novel Fc-fusion protein delivered as a once-weekly subcutaneous injection. It is the second pet-specific GLP-1 candidate in active clinical trials (alongside Okava's OKV-119). The Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine trial enrolled 70 cats starting November 2025; readout is expected Q2-Q3 2026.

What Is an Fc-Fusion Protein?

Fc-fusion is a protein engineering technique that extends drug half-life by attaching the drug peptide to an immunoglobulin Fc fragment — the part of an antibody that binds FcRn receptors throughout the body, recycling proteins back into circulation instead of degrading them. The same approach is used in human-side drugs like dulaglutide (Trulicity) and several therapeutic antibodies.

Practical effect: Fc-fusion typically gives once-weekly to once-monthly dosing instead of daily. For AKS-562c, Akston has confirmed once-weekly dosing in the Cornell trial protocol.

How AKS-562c Differs from Other GLP-1s

Cornell Trial Design

• •Site: Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca NY
• •Cats enrolled: 70 (option to expand to 140)
• •Primary observation: ~11 weeks
• •Trial start: November 2025
• •Treatment-phase completion: Late January / early February 2026 (estimated)
• •Expected readout: Q2-Q3 2026 (May-September 2026)

Why This Matters Now

Akston Biosciences filed an S-1 IPO on May 2, 2026 — listing as AXTN on NYSE American at approximately $100M market cap with a $20M raise. The IPO makes Akston a public company subject to SEC quarterly disclosure. AKS-562c readout will now be a material event triggering 8-K filing and pre-announcement timing controls. Watch Akston's investor channels for the announcement.