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Tiny Implant Could Replace Weight-Loss Shots
13 Jul
Summary
- A small implant releasing weight-loss medication is in development.
- The device is inserted under the skin in a quick procedure.
- Implant availability is expected within several years.
A groundbreaking partnership between Vivani Medical and Novo Nordisk is developing a novel implant for weight-loss medication. This small, matchstick-sized device is designed to be inserted just beneath the skin, releasing semaglutide, the active ingredient in popular injections like Ozempic and Wegovy, over an extended period.
The procedure for implanting this device is described as brief and similar to placing a birth control implant, typically in the upper arm. Vivani Medical's current prototype requires replacement every six months, but the company is working towards a version that would need replacement only once a year.
While this innovative technology promises a potential alternative to weekly or monthly injections, it is not expected to be available to patients for at least several years. Extensive clinical trials and regulatory approval processes must be successfully completed before this implant can be prescribed by healthcare providers.
