Laverdia becomes available for dogs with lymphoma

Laverdia is now available for purchase in the U.S., marking the commercial rollout of the first FDA-approved oral treatment for dogs with lymphoma. Dechra announced availability on September 23, 2026, several months after the FDA said it had granted full approval for Laverdia (verdinexor tablets), an at-home prescription therapy for canine lymphoma. (prnewswire.com)

The product’s path to market has been unusually visible. FDA conditionally approved Laverdia-CA1 in January 2021, allowing sponsor Anivive Lifesciences to market the drug while collecting the effectiveness data needed for a full approval package. FDA then granted full approval on December 18, 2025, and published its announcement on January 16, 2026, concluding that the sponsor had met the standard of substantial evidence of effectiveness. Anivive later said it had out-licensed U.S. rights to Dechra in 2022, setting up Dechra’s role in the current launch. (animaldrugsatfda.fda.gov)

Laverdia is indicated for the treatment of lymphoma in dogs and works as a selective inhibitor of nuclear export, blocking CRM1/XPO1. According to the FDA-approved labeling, it is given orally twice weekly with at least 72 hours between doses, and administration immediately after eating increases absorption. The product is available only by prescription from a licensed veterinarian, and the approved presentation includes multiple tablet strengths for weight-based dosing. (dailymed.nlm.nih.gov)

The approval was supported by a randomized, masked, controlled, multicenter field study. FDA’s Freedom of Information summary says 160 dogs with lymphoma were enrolled, including both treatment-naïve and relapsed cases, with B-cell disease in 80.6% of dogs and T-cell disease in 18.3%. All 160 dogs were evaluable for safety, while 134 were evaluable for effectiveness. Median time to progression was 37 days in the Laverdia group versus 23 days in controls, a statistically significant difference. (animaldrugsatfda.fda.gov)

Safety and handling are likely to be a major part of the clinical conversation. The FDA-approved label warns that severe anorexia can occur and says dogs should be monitored closely for inappetence, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and weight loss. In the field study, common adverse reactions included anorexia, emesis, lethargy, weight loss, and diarrhea. FDA also says chemotherapy-rated gloves should be worn when handling the drug and when cleaning up after treated dogs, including bowls and bodily fluids, during treatment and for three days after the last dose. (dailymed.nlm.nih.gov)

Early industry reaction is framing Laverdia less as a replacement for specialty oncology and more as a practical new option within a broader care pathway. In Dechra’s launch announcement, veterinary oncologist Craig A. Clifford said the drug could serve as an important primary care option and noted he has also used it in specialty practice for dogs whose lymphoma has not responded to standard therapy or when families want a less aggressive approach. Dechra and Anivive have both emphasized at-home administration and access, particularly for the many dogs that never receive conventional chemotherapy. Those comments come from company communications, so they should be read as launch-positioning, but they align with the product’s practical appeal in first-opinion settings. (prnewswire.com)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, Laverdia may broaden the treatment conversation at the point of diagnosis. An FDA-approved oral product that can be started at home gives general practitioners and oncologists another option for pet parents who need time to decide about referral, cannot pursue multi-agent chemotherapy, or are managing relapse. At the same time, the efficacy data suggest a modest disease-control benefit rather than a curative approach, and the adverse-event profile means practices will need clear protocols for monitoring, supportive medications, dose adjustments, and household safety counseling. (prnewswire.com)

What to watch: The next phase will be real-world adoption: how often Laverdia is used as a bridge after diagnosis, where it lands in relapse and palliative protocols, whether Dechra’s support program changes uptake in general practice, and whether additional regulatory approvals outside the U.S. move forward on the timeline Anivive outlined in June 2026. (prnewswire.com)