Podcast Summary: Hyperfixed – "The Cat Drug Black Market"

Introduction

In the July 17, 2025 episode of Hyperfixed, host Alex Goldman delves into the clandestine world of the feline drug black market. This episode, released by Hyperfixed—a member of Radiotopia—explores the intricate and shadowy network that emerged to save cats suffering from feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), a once-fatal disease. Through interviews with cat owners, veterinarians, and key figures in the movement, Goldman unravels how an illegal drug became a beacon of hope for countless cats and the ensuing ethical and legal dilemmas.

Marlena’s Story: Otto’s Battle with FIP

The episode begins with Marlena from Portland, Oregon, sharing her harrowing experience with her cat, Otto. Initially energetic and playful, Otto’s sudden decline led Marlena to an emergency vet where he was diagnosed with FIP, a disease deemed 100% fatal without treatment. Faced with despair, Marlena was advised to seek experimental treatments through a Facebook group, leading her to obtain the black market drug GS441524.

• Notable Quote:
  Marlena [03:20]: “I wanted to look at kittens, but I wasn't, of course, going to get one. And then I went in, and there was a tiny little kitten who had just had his eye removed… I blacked out and came to with a cat in a box in my car.”

• Notable Quote:
  Marlena [07:46]: “She's like, yeah, I shouldn't tell you this, but by the way, you can get drugs for this if you go to this Facebook group.”

Despite the risks, Marlena pursued the treatment, which dramatically improved Otto’s condition, raising more questions about the legitimacy and origin of the drug.

Dr. Niels Peterson: The Pioneer Behind GS441524

Central to the story is Dr. Niels Peterson, a professor emeritus of veterinary medicine at UC Davis. Dr. Peterson’s decades-long research unraveled that FIP is caused by a mutated form of the feline coronavirus. In the mid-1990s, his team discovered that the antiviral drug GS441524 could effectively treat and even cure FIP.

• Notable Quote:
  Dr. Niels Peterson [12:16]: “At the time, there was some rumble about this new disease that suddenly appeared in cats.”

• Notable Quote:
  Dr. Peterson [15:01]: “I spent a lot of time interested in what's called the pathogenesis… did some work trying to develop vaccines, which proved ineffective.”

Despite significant breakthroughs and promising results published in 2018 and 2019, Gilead Sciences, the company behind GS441524, chose not to pursue FDA approval for veterinary use. Instead, they focused on developing remdesivir for the emerging COVID-19 pandemic, effectively halting the availability of the feline treatment through legal channels.

• Notable Quote:
  Dr. Niels Peterson [21:04]: “We didn't go to the FDA. Oh, we did not go to the FDA because we were unable to obtain the rights for GS.”

The Rise of the Black Market: FIP Warriors

With the legal pathway blocked, individuals like Robin Kintz stepped in to bridge the gap. After losing her cats Henry and Fiona to FIP, Robin founded the FIP Warriors Facebook group to distribute GS441524 illegally. This group became a massive, coordinated effort to save cats when no legal options existed.

• Notable Quote:
  Robin Kintz [30:26]: “I'm currently topped out at 8 and in the world of crazy cat people, that's actually not a lot…”

• Notable Quote:
  Robin Kintz [34:07]: “What we'll do is ask a whole bunch of intake information that will tell us a lot about your cat's symptoms.”

The FIP Warriors established a sophisticated system for vetting members, sourcing the drug from manufacturers (primarily in China), and overseeing treatment protocols. Despite challenges such as COVID-19 disruptions and faulty drug batches, the group adapted by diversifying suppliers and ensuring product quality through independent testing.

• Notable Quote:
  Robin Kintz [38:13]: “The admins are the folks that basically connect to each person with a sick cat and advise and guide through the treatment process…”

The collective efforts of nearly 90,000 members reportedly saved around 250,000 cats by providing access to a treatment that was otherwise unattainable.

Ethical and Legal Dilemmas: Veterinarians in the Crossfire

As the effectiveness of GS441524 became undeniable, the veterinary community found itself in a moral quandary. Veterinarians, bound by the oath to alleviate animal suffering, were torn between the legality of the black market drug and the desperate need to save lives. This led to a surge in recommendations for FIP Warriors among vets, further expanding the reach of the illegal drug distribution network.

• Notable Quote:
  Dr. Bruce Kornreich [41:35]: “Veterinarians, we take an oath to alleviate animal suffering. So on the one hand, if a veterinarian had an owner come in and say, my cat is dying of FIP, can you help me? That was sort of like, I have to help them.”

However, the lack of regulation meant that quality control was inconsistent, leading to subpar batches and tragic losses, which eventually eroded trust within the community.

• Notable Quote:
  Robin Kintz [46:41]: “So to the people that are worried about commissions and being ripped off, I say look elsewhere for something to complain about. Is your cat alive?”

The Downfall: Scandal and Fragmentation

By 2022, the FIP Warriors faced significant challenges, including a major public scandal that involved federal law enforcement. Accusations of fraud and mismanagement surfaced, leading to the group’s internal collapse. The once-unified network fragmented, undermining the very mission it was founded upon.

• Notable Quote:
  Unnamed Cat Owner [46:35]: “It was like a wake-up call that we should never have been doing this in the first place.”

Conclusion: Lessons from the Shadows

The episode concludes by reflecting on the complexities of operating in the gray areas of legality to fulfill critical needs. While the FIP Warriors initially succeeded in creating a life-saving pipeline for cats, their story serves as a cautionary tale about the pitfalls of unregulated medical interventions and the ethical dilemmas they pose.

Final Thoughts

Alex Goldman masterfully weaves personal stories with expert insights to paint a comprehensive picture of the FIP drug black market. The episode not only highlights the desperation and resilience of cat owners but also underscores the broader implications of pharmaceutical monopolies and the lengths to which individuals will go to save lives.

For more detailed explorations and bonus content, listeners are encouraged to visit hyperfixpod.com and join the Hyperfixed community.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Marlena [07:46]: “She's like, yeah, I shouldn't tell you this, but by the way, you can get drugs for this if you go to this Facebook group.”

• Dr. Niels Peterson [12:16]: “At the time, there was some rumble about this new disease that suddenly appeared in cats.”

• Dr. Niels Peterson [21:04]: “We didn't go to the FDA. Oh, we did not go to the FDA because we were unable to obtain the rights for GS.”

• Robin Kintz [30:26]: “I'm currently topped out at 8 and in the world of crazy cat people, that's actually not a lot…”

• Robin Kintz [34:07]: “What we'll do is ask a whole bunch of intake information that will tell us a lot about your cat's symptoms.”

• Dr. Bruce Kornreich [41:35]: “Veterinarians, we take an oath to alleviate animal suffering. So on the one hand, if a veterinarian had an owner come in and say, my cat is dying of FIP, can you help me? That was sort of like, I have to help them.”

• Robin Kintz [46:41]: “So to the people that are worried about commissions and being ripped off, I say look elsewhere for something to complain about. Is your cat alive?”

• Unnamed Cat Owner [46:35]: “It was like a wake-up call that we should never have been doing this in the first place.”