Toray RAPROS®: What Cat Owners Should Know About This Innovative CKD Treatment

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the most common long-term illnesses in older cats. While diet and supportive care remain foundational for managing CKD, veterinary medicine continues to evolve — introducing new therapies aimed at improving quality of life and slowing disease progression. One such development is Toray RAPROS®, a specialized prescription treatment designed specifically for cats with CKD.

What Is RAPROS®?

RAPROS® is an orally administered veterinary drug developed by Toray Industries that contains beraprost sodium, an active substance derived from prostacyclin (PGI₂). It is currently approved for use in cats to help suppress the deterioration of kidney function and improve clinical signs associated with CKD in certain stages¹.

Unlike supplements or dietary products, RAPROS® is a true pharmacological treatment — meaning it must be prescribed by a veterinarian and used according to their instructions. It’s already marketed in Japan and parts of Asia, and clinical trials are underway in Europe with the goal of bringing this option to more cats worldwide².

How RAPROS® Works

The way RAPROS® helps cats with CKD is quite different from nutritional support alone. Its active ingredient, beraprost sodium, exerts multiple beneficial effects at the cellular level:

• It protects vascular endothelial cells in the kidneys (cells that line blood vessels).

• It promotes vasodilation, improving blood flow to renal tissue.

• It helps reduce inflammation and the formation of microthrombi (tiny blood clots).

• These combined effects may help slow the progression of hypoxia (lack of oxygen) and fibrosis in the kidneys — processes that contribute to worsening kidney disease³.

In simpler terms, RAPROS® works by supporting blood flow, reducing inflammatory damage, and maintaining healthier kidney tissue — goals that go beyond what diet alone can achieve.

Who Can Use RAPROS®?

RAPROS® is currently approved for feline CKD patients in IRIS Stage II–III, meaning cats that have established kidney disease but are not yet in the most advanced stages. The treatment is typically given orally twice a day after meals, and tablets are designed to be small and easy to administer¹.

It’s important to stress that RAPROS® is a prescription medication, not a nutritional supplement: it should only be given under the guidance of a veterinarian who can evaluate your cat’s specific condition and monitor response to therapy.

Where RAPROS® Fits Into CKD Management

Dietary management (with renal diets), hydration support, phosphorus control, and symptom management remain central to caring for cats with CKD. RAPROS® adds another tool to this approach — targeting underlying physiological mechanisms that contribute to disease progression rather than addressing symptoms alone.

As clinical trials progress and regulatory approvals expand, treatments like RAPROS® may become more widely available outside their current markets eventually reaching Europe and the US. For now, if you’re curious whether RAPROS® might be right for your cat, discuss it with your veterinarian — especially if standard nutritional and supportive therapies are not providing sufficient improvement.

¹Toray RAPROS® Product Overview
²Toray Launches European Clinical Trial of RAPROS® to Treat Chronic Kidney Disease in Cats
³Toray RAPROS® Product Overview