It’s not just us humans that are affected by kidney diseases. It’s also our feline friends who die due to kidney diseases. Majority of the cats develop some degree of kidney damages by five years old and then die from it by fifteen. Till now, veterinary medicine was only able to manage it, never truly treat it. And that may finally be about to change.
The Japanese Discovery
In 1999, Dr. Toru Miyazaki, a Japanese immunologist at the University of Tokyo, discovered a protein called AIM (Apoptosis Inhibitor of Macrophage), which is a biological cleaning crew that helps the body clear out the dead cells. It works accurately and perfectly in humans. But in cats, it gets genetically locked away and is unable to reach the kidneys at all. Dead cells accumulate, block the renal tubules and kidney function slowly collapses like a clogged up drain pipe.
The Results
A 2026 study in The Veterinary Journal brought great news for the cats lovers. Untreated cats with advanced CKD survived a median of just 167 days. Cats treated with recombinant AIM therapy showed a survival rate of over 80% at 360 days , not just slowing the disease, but fundamentally changing its course.
How Close Are We?
Clinical trials began in 2025, regulatory approval is planned for 2026 and the treatment could reach the public by spring 2027. Dr. Miyazaki has been clear that this should be affordable and available to every cat, not just the privileged few.
And he has more optimism. He believes AIM could one day treat kidney disease in humans too.
How many of you have cats and would love them to live a very long and healthy life?
this innovative approach will helps for cats lives.