Campaign Launched for 1 Million Signatures to Seek Early Approval of 'Cat AIM Drug' for Feline Kidney Disease
The Neko no Forum Executive Committee has launched a signature campaign aiming for 1 million signatures to support the early approval of the 'Cat AIM drug,' which was submitted for approval in April 2026. The initiative seeks to demonstrate the high social demand and facilitate a smooth regulatory process for the world's first drug to fundamental treat kidney disease, the leading cause of cat mortality.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 31, 2026 at 21:31
- 🔍 Collected: May 31, 2026 at 12:47
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 31, 2026 at 16:37 (3h 49m after Collected)
May 31, 2026
To Whom It May Concern,
Neko no Forum Executive Committee
Animal Hospital HEADLINE News Co., Ltd.
Executive Committee Chair & CEO: Tomoo Ozawa
Animal Hospital HEADLINE News is a media outlet delivering the latest information on the animal hospital industry, management tips, and veterinary research trends.
In recent years, the number of cats being kept has increased to nearly 10 million in Japan, driven by changes in living environments and 'stay-at-home' demand. The pet-related market, often called 'Nekonomics,' continues to grow. Against this backdrop, our media has organized the 'Neko no Forum' since 2024 to connect researchers, clinicians, industry players, government, and advocacy groups toward a better symbiotic society for humans and cats.
Today, Neko no Forum has decided to launch a petition campaign with a goal of 1 million owners to seek the early approval of the 'Cat AIM drug.' This medication is highly anticipated for the treatment of kidney disease, which is extremely common in cats.
Please note that this campaign is conducted independently by Neko no Forum and this media outlet, and is not affiliated with the drug development company or its discoverer, Dr. Toru Miyazaki.
1. Background: Cats are Prone to Kidney Disease
There are approximately 10 million domestic cats in Japan. While they are irreplaceable family members, about 40% of elderly cats suffer from declining kidney function. Kidney disease countermeasures are becoming an increasingly urgent theme for many families as the feline population ages.
Furthermore, urinary tract diseases are the leading cause of death for cats, accounting for approximately 30% according to the latest statistics. This highlights how directly kidney and urinary problems impact feline lives.
2. What is AIM?
AIM (Apoptosis Inhibitor of Macrophage) is a protein in the blood that marks waste products in the body to facilitate their removal. The Cat AIM drug is the culmination of over 25 years of research by Dr. Toru Miyazaki.
On April 24, 2026, Dr. Miyazaki's pharmaceutical company, IAM CAT Co., Ltd., filed a manufacturing and marketing approval application with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF). If approved, it will be the world's first drug to suppress the progression of kidney disease in cats.
3. About the '1 Million Signatures' Campaign
Regulatory review after application takes time. Many cats and their families are waiting for the Cat AIM drug while battling the disease. We decided to launch this petition to request early approval and ensure the drug reaches them as soon as possible. Our goal is to collect 1 million signatures from cat owners to submit to the MAFF, demonstrating the scale of social expectation and necessity.
To Whom It May Concern,
Neko no Forum Executive Committee
Animal Hospital HEADLINE News Co., Ltd.
Executive Committee Chair & CEO: Tomoo Ozawa
Animal Hospital HEADLINE News is a media outlet delivering the latest information on the animal hospital industry, management tips, and veterinary research trends.
In recent years, the number of cats being kept has increased to nearly 10 million in Japan, driven by changes in living environments and 'stay-at-home' demand. The pet-related market, often called 'Nekonomics,' continues to grow. Against this backdrop, our media has organized the 'Neko no Forum' since 2024 to connect researchers, clinicians, industry players, government, and advocacy groups toward a better symbiotic society for humans and cats.
Today, Neko no Forum has decided to launch a petition campaign with a goal of 1 million owners to seek the early approval of the 'Cat AIM drug.' This medication is highly anticipated for the treatment of kidney disease, which is extremely common in cats.
Please note that this campaign is conducted independently by Neko no Forum and this media outlet, and is not affiliated with the drug development company or its discoverer, Dr. Toru Miyazaki.
1. Background: Cats are Prone to Kidney Disease
There are approximately 10 million domestic cats in Japan. While they are irreplaceable family members, about 40% of elderly cats suffer from declining kidney function. Kidney disease countermeasures are becoming an increasingly urgent theme for many families as the feline population ages.
Furthermore, urinary tract diseases are the leading cause of death for cats, accounting for approximately 30% according to the latest statistics. This highlights how directly kidney and urinary problems impact feline lives.
2. What is AIM?
AIM (Apoptosis Inhibitor of Macrophage) is a protein in the blood that marks waste products in the body to facilitate their removal. The Cat AIM drug is the culmination of over 25 years of research by Dr. Toru Miyazaki.
On April 24, 2026, Dr. Miyazaki's pharmaceutical company, IAM CAT Co., Ltd., filed a manufacturing and marketing approval application with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF). If approved, it will be the world's first drug to suppress the progression of kidney disease in cats.
3. About the '1 Million Signatures' Campaign
Regulatory review after application takes time. Many cats and their families are waiting for the Cat AIM drug while battling the disease. We decided to launch this petition to request early approval and ensure the drug reaches them as soon as possible. Our goal is to collect 1 million signatures from cat owners to submit to the MAFF, demonstrating the scale of social expectation and necessity.
FAQ
猫AIM薬とはどのような薬ですか？
猫AIM薬は、血液中の老廃物を除去するタンパク質「AIM」を補うことで、猫に多い腎臓病の進行を根本から抑制することを目指した、世界初の治療薬候補です。
署名活動の主催者は誰ですか？
「ねこのフォーラム実行委員会」および「アニマルホスピタルヘッドラインニュース株式会社」です。創薬企業のIAM CAT社や宮﨑徹博士とは独立した自主的な活動です。
現在の承認審査の状況はどうなっていますか？
2026年4月24日に、株式会社IAM CATが農林水産省に対して、動物用医薬品としての製造販売承認申請を提出し、現在審査中です。
なぜ猫は腎臓病になりやすいのですか？
猫の祖先が乾燥地帯で暮らしていたため、尿を濃縮して老廃物を出す仕組みを持っており、腎臓に負担がかかりやすいことが背景にあります。また、猫科動物はAIMが機能しにくい体質であることも判明しています。
署名活動の具体的な目標は何ですか？
猫のオーナー様を中心に100万人の署名を集め、農林水産省へ提出することで、早期承認に対する社会的な必要性と期待を伝え、審査の迅速化を支援することです。