The first gene therapy for pets will enter trials at the beginning of 1999 for the treatment of malignant melanoma in dogs. The results from the trials will form part of the research into gene therapies to treat cancer in humans. Heska (Fort Collins, CO), which focuses on healthcare of cats, dogs, and horses, is developing the drug in conjunction with the National Jewish Medical and Research Center (NJMRC; Denver, CO), which will conduct the trials on Heska's behalf. There are over 60 million dogs in the US alone, and the total pet oncology market is valued at $3 billion worldwide. The therapy consists of genes encoding undisclosed cytokines and superantigens carried in a lipid-based vector— licensed from GeneMedicine (The Woodlands, TX)—that is injected directly into the tumor. "We hope the drug will be available [for dogs] at the end of 2000 or early 2001," says Grieve.