Novo Nordisk to assess Vivani's year‑long semaglutide implant for obesity maintenance

Novo Nordisk announced an internal, non‑exclusive evaluation of Vivani Medical’s NPM‑139 semaglutide implant, a tiny subcutaneous device designed to release the GLP‑1 drug continuously for up to a year. The implant aims to address the high dropout rate—over half of patients stop weekly injections within a year—by offering a maintenance option that could be administered once or twice annually.

A Phase 1 randomized, first‑in‑human study is planned for mid‑2026 in the United States, enrolling about 20 adults with overweight or obesity. Participants will receive either the NPM‑139 implant or a low‑dose Wegovy injection, with safety, pharmacokinetics and tolerability as primary endpoints. Vivani has received ethics approval in Australia for the SLIM‑1 study, which will evaluate the same device.

The titanium‑based implant contains a specialized membrane that slowly releases semaglutide, potentially reducing nausea, vomiting and injection fatigue while lowering overall treatment costs compared with weekly injections. If successful, the technology could provide a longer‑acting, less burdensome option for chronic obesity management.