Vivani Medical is in the early stages of creating a semaglutide implant, which could provide a long-term solution for patients struggling to maintain weight loss after using GLP-1 drugs like Novo Nordisk's Wegovy and Ozempic.
Current GLP-1 treatments face high discontinuation rates due to side effects, costs, and injection fatigue, with studies suggesting that up to half of patients stop treatment within a year. The implant, designed to be administered just twice a year or annually, aims to offer a more convenient and potentially less side-effect-prone alternative.
Novo Nordisk has partnered with Vivani to evaluate this implant, known as NPM-139, which would allow patients to switch from injections or pills to a steady release of semaglutide through a specialized membrane. While the implant shows promise, it must undergo clinical trials and regulatory approval, and its market viability will depend on cost and insurance coverage.
Experts express cautious optimism, emphasizing the need for solid clinical data to support its effectiveness and long-term tolerability. If successful, this implant could help address a critical issue in obesity treatment: ensuring patients remain on therapy to sustain weight loss and associated health benefits