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 is an 11-week study in client-owned cats, targeting 70 animals with an option to expand to 140, and Akston has said top-line results are expected later in 2026. Checked July 22, 2026: no results published yet. Akston is running an analogous dog program roughly six months behind the feline one, which is the detail most coverage leaves out and the reason a good AKS-562c readout would move the dog timeline too.

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. The same dosing question is still unanswered on the canine side, because GLP-1 for dogs has no announced trial to attach a schedule to yet.

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: H2 2026, estimated.

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.