- Pelara has initiated U.S. clinical trials of low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU).
- Trials will focus on chronic pain management in dogs, cats, and horses.
- Openwater and SecureDX are collaborating on the program.
- Technology aims to provide targeted pain relief without drugs, surgery, or sedation.
- Clinical data generated will support future commercialization in veterinary medicine.
Pelara Inc. has launched its first veterinary clinical trials evaluating low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) as a potential treatment for chronic pain in companion animals and horses.
The studies, conducted in partnership with medical technology company Openwater and diagnostics provider SecureDX, are designed to generate the clinical evidence needed to bring the technology into veterinary practice.
Addressing an Unmet Need in Pain Management
Chronic pain remains one of the most common and challenging conditions in veterinary medicine, particularly among aging pets. Current treatment options often rely on long-term medications that can carry risks of gastrointestinal, liver, or kidney complications, while device-based alternatives may require invasive procedures or sedation.
Pelara says LIFU offers a different approach by using targeted ultrasound energy to modulate pain pathways and treat musculoskeletal conditions without surgery, sedation, or systemic drug exposure.
Building Evidence for Veterinary Use
Unlike high-intensity focused ultrasound, which uses heat to destroy tissue, LIFU operates at lower energy levels designed to influence targeted tissues without causing thermal damage. The technology has attracted growing interest in both human and veterinary medicine as a non-invasive therapeutic platform.
The clinical program will focus initially on dogs, cats, and horses, with data generated from the trials intended to support broader adoption across veterinary practices.
Commercialization Effort Underway
Pelara, Openwater, and SecureDX said the collaboration combines therapeutic technology, clinical expertise, and diagnostic infrastructure to accelerate development of the platform for animal health applications.
Pelara is based in San Antonio and is focused on bringing advanced therapeutic technologies to veterinary medicine through evidence-based development and commercialization strategies.
Information sourced from the company’s press release.
