FDA Approval of Cattle Drug Experior Raises Concerns Over Animal Welfare and Regulatory Influence
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Elanco Animal Health's drug Experior in 2018, despite internal scientific concerns regarding its impact on cattle health. Experior, which contains an active ingredient from a class of growth-promoting pharmaceuticals, was approved not for growth but for its ability to moderately reduce ammonia emissions from cattle. However, studies submitted by Elanco showed increased lameness and bloat, a condition that can lead to suffocation and death, in cattle receiving the highest doses of Experior. Post-approval, sales of Experior boomed, generating over $200 million in 2025, with more than half of U.S. feedlot cattle now receiving the drug. Feedlot veterinarians are reporting similar health issues, including bloat-related deaths and lameness, mirroring the concerns raised during the initial review. The FDA has received 75 adverse event reports involving lubabegron, Experior's active ingredient, with 59 linked to death, including one report documenting 229 unexpe...
