A San Diego startup named Gallant is taking a big step toward changing how we treat our pets. The company just raised $18 million in new funding to develop what could be the first FDA-approved, ready-to-use stem cell therapy for animals.
The goal? Make stem cell treatments for pets simpler, faster, and widely accessible — starting with a painful condition in cats.
Making Stem Cell Therapy Easier for Vets — And Pets
Stem cell science isn’t new. We’ve seen it used in human medicine for years. But in veterinary care, it’s still in its early stages. Gallant is working to change that by focusing on ease of use.
Right now, most stem cell therapies require vets to collect cells directly from the pet or a compatible donor. That takes time, costs more, and can be hard on the animal.
Gallant’s approach is different. Its treatments are pre-made from donor animals and can be used right out of the box — no harvesting required. Even if the donor isn’t the same species, the therapy can still work. That kind of convenience is a big deal for vets and pet owners alike.
First Focus: A Painful Mouth Disease in Cats
Gallant is starting with a tough condition called Feline Chronic Gingivostomatitis (FCGS). It’s a severe inflammatory disease in cats that affects their mouth and gums — and it’s notoriously difficult to treat.
Gallant hopes to get FDA approval for its FCGS therapy by early 2026. If that happens, it could open the door for using stem cells to treat other chronic illnesses in pets as well.
Promising Signs from Early Testing
While this space is still pretty new, early results are encouraging. For example:
- Dogs with arthritis treated with stem cells showed less pain and moved more easily.
- Some dogs kept improving for up to two years after treatment.
That’s a big win for older pets with joint pain. However, other areas like kidney disease in cats have shown more mixed results so far. Gallant still sees potential there and plans to keep exploring it.
Backed by Experienced Investors
This latest funding round was led by Digitalis Ventures, a firm that’s been with Gallant from the start. Another big name in the round is NovaQuest Capital Management, which previously backed the first FDA-approved human stem cell therapy.
Altogether, Gallant has raised at least $44 million to date — showing strong belief in its vision from investors who understand the science.
A Startup Built on Passion for Pets
Gallant was founded by Aaron Hirschhorn, a well-known figure in the pet care world. He previously built and sold DogVacay, a dog-sitting platform that eventually merged with Rover.
Tragically, Aaron passed away in 2021. Since then, the company has been led by Linda Black, who joined early on and now serves as President and Chief Scientific Officer. Under her leadership, Gallant continues to push forward with its mission to make advanced pet care more accessible.
What’s Next?
Gallant is preparing for:
- More clinical research
- Navigating the FDA approval process
- Scaling production for launch, hopefully in 2026
If all goes to plan, your vet could soon have a ready-to-use stem cell treatment in their toolkit — helping pets heal faster and more comfortably.
Quick Recap
Here’s a quick summary of what’s happening:
- Gallant raised $18 million to develop pre-made stem cell therapies for pets.
- Its first treatment targets painful gum disease in cats (FCGS).
- No cell harvesting is needed — treatments are pre-made from donor animals.
- Early trials in dogs with arthritis showed lasting benefits.
- The company has now raised over $44 million in total.
- FDA approval is expected as early as 2026.