Boehringer Ingelheim Launches SCOVELLA® in Great Britain as First Approved Therapy for Insulin Dysregulation in Horses

Boehringer Ingelheim Launches SCOVELLA® in Great Britain as First Approved Therapy for Insulin Dysregulation in Horses

(IN BRIEF) Boehringer Ingelheim has launched SCOVELLA® (velagliflozin oral solution) in Great Britain, the first therapy specifically developed and approved to treat hyperinsulinemia in insulin-dysregulated horses and ponies that do not respond sufficiently to husbandry and exercise changes. Insulin dysregulation affects an estimated one in five horses and is considered the principal underlying cause of laminitis, accounting for more than 90% of cases. Clinical research showed that SCOVELLA®, an equine-specific SGLT-2 inhibitor, rapidly and significantly reduces elevated insulin concentrations, with effects appearing within days; in one dietary challenge trial, none of the treated animals developed clinical laminitis compared with 38% of untreated controls. The therapy will be available to prescribing veterinary surgeons in Great Britain from September 2026, with its official debut at the BEVA Congress, and Boehringer Ingelheim plans future launches in additional markets.

(PRESS RELEASE) INGELHEIM/BRACKNELL, 2-Sep-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Boehringer Ingelheim has launched SCOVELLA® (velagliflozin oral solution) in Great Britain, introducing the first therapy specifically developed and approved for the treatment of hyperinsulinemia in insulin-dysregulated horses and ponies that do not respond adequately to changes in husbandry and exercise.

Insulin dysregulation is estimated to affect around one in five horses and is recognised as the primary underlying cause of laminitis, a painful and potentially debilitating condition.

Research cited by Boehringer Ingelheim indicates that insulin dysregulation accounts for more than 90% of laminitis cases. Around one-third of horses diagnosed with laminitis are euthanised within a year of diagnosis, while a UK cohort study estimated that approximately one in ten horses and ponies experiences at least one episode of laminitis each year.

Professor Andy Durham, RCVS and European Specialist in Equine Internal Medicine at Liphook Equine Hospital, said laminitis is among the most common and welfare-impacting conditions encountered in equine practice.

He said treatment and prevention options have historically been limited and described the availability of a therapy specifically developed and approved for horses as an important advance for veterinarians managing insulin dysregulation, which underlies the majority of laminitis cases.

SCOVELLA® targets elevated insulin concentrations

The risk of laminitis increases in direct correlation with circulating insulin concentrations, making effective insulin management an important therapeutic objective.

SCOVELLA® is the first licensed equine-specific SGLT-2 inhibitor developed to treat hyperinsulinemia in insulin-dysregulated horses and ponies that have not responded sufficiently to changes in husbandry and exercise.

The treatment is supplied as an easy-to-dose oral liquid.

By reducing elevated insulin concentrations, SCOVELLA® is intended to help veterinary surgeons address a key underlying driver of laminitis rather than focusing only on its consequences.

Boehringer Ingelheim said development of the therapy was supported by an extensive clinical research programme spanning approximately 15 years.

Studies showed that SCOVELLA® rapidly and significantly reduced hyperinsulinemia, with effects observed within days of treatment beginning.

In a clinical dietary challenge study, none of the animals treated with SCOVELLA® developed clinical laminitis, compared with 38% of untreated controls.

Saskia Kley, Global Head of Equine at Boehringer Ingelheim, said laminitis can be devastating for horses and their owners because of the pain involved and the potentially serious consequences for affected animals.

She said SCOVELLA® is the result of 15 years of research focused on addressing the disease at its source and reflects the company’s commitment to innovation in areas of equine health where significant unmet needs remain.

Great Britain selected for initial launch

SCOVELLA® will be available to prescribing veterinary surgeons across Great Britain from September 2026 and will officially debut at the British Equine Veterinary Association Congress, or BEVA Congress.

Boehringer Ingelheim plans to introduce the treatment in additional markets in the future.

The product received a limited marketing authorisation under Article 26(1)(b) of the UK Veterinary Medicines Regulations in April 2026.

Its authorised indication is the treatment of hyperinsulinemia in insulin-dysregulated horses and ponies that are not responsive to changes in husbandry and exercise regimens.

Craig Beck, Head of Animal Health UK and Ireland at Boehringer Ingelheim, said the company was pleased to introduce the global innovation first to the equine veterinary community in Great Britain.

He said SCOVELLA® provides veterinarians and horse owners with greater treatment confidence through rapid and sustained insulin reduction while addressing the main underlying cause of laminitis.

Boehringer Ingelheim is also introducing a support programme that includes educational materials designed to help veterinary practices manage laminitis cases successfully.

About Boehringer Ingelheim – Animal Health business

Boehringer Ingelheim provides innovation for preventing and treating diseases in animals. The company offers a wide range of vaccines, parasite-control products, and medicines for pets, horses, and livestock to veterinarians, animal owners, farmers, and governments. As a leader in animal health, Boehringer Ingelheim values that the health of humans and animals is deeply connected and strives to have influence on people, animals, and society. Learn more at www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/animal-health.

About Boehringer Ingelheim

Boehringer Ingelheim is a biopharmaceutical company active in both human and animal health. As one of the industry’s top investors in research and development, the company focuses on developing innovative therapies that can improve and extend lives in areas of high unmet medical need. Independent since its foundation in 1885, Boehringer takes a long-term perspective, embedding sustainability along the entire value chain. Our approximately 54,300 employees serve over 130 markets to build a healthier and more sustainable tomorrow. Learn more at www.boehringer-ingelheim.com.

References

1. Marketing authorization granted as a limited marketing authorization under Article 26(1)(b) of the UK Veterinary Medicines Regulations (April 2026). Indication: For the treatment of hyperinsulinaemia in insulin-dysregulated horses and ponies not responsive to changes in husbandry and exercise regimen. See the VMD Product Information Database.
2. Karikoski, N. P., Horn, I., McGowan, T. W., & McGowan, C. M. (2011). The prevalence of endocrinopathic laminitis among horses presented for laminitis at a first-opinion/referral equine hospital. Domestic animal endocrinology, 41(3), 111-117.
3. Luthersson, N., Mannfalk, M., Parkin, T. D., & Harris, P. (2017). Laminitis: risk factors and outcome in a group of Danish horses. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 53, 68-73.
4. Thane, K., Voth, R., Klee, R., Warnken, T., Chukwu, V., & Frank, N. (2025). Effects of the sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor velagliflozin on insulin concentrations in horses with insulin dysregulation. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 39(6), jvim70256.
5. Pollard, D., Wylie, C. E., Newton, J. R., & Verheyen, K. L. P. (2019). Incidence and clinical signs of owner‐reported equine laminitis in a cohort of horses and ponies in Great Britain. Equine Veterinary Journal, 51(5), 587-594.
6. Meier, A., Reiche, D., de Laat, M., Pollitt, C., Walsh, D., & Sillence, M. (2018). The sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor velagliflozin reduces hyperinsulinemia and prevents laminitis in insulin-dysregulated ponies. PLoS One, 13(9), e0203655.

Media Contact:

Mi-Kyung Lee-Lange
Animal Health Communications Lead
mi-kyung.lee-lange@boehringer-ingelheim.com

SOURCE: Boehringer Ingelheim