Los angeles: Vivani Medical Inc (Vivani), a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing ultra long-acting drug implants, has entered an agreement with Novo Nordisk to evaluate Vivani's semaglutide drug implant, NPM-139, aimed at managing chronic weight conditions.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, NPM-139 employs Vivani's NanoPortal platform technology and remains in the development phase. Notably, the agreement does not grant exclusivity concerning NPM-139 or Vivani's proprietary NanoPortal technology.

Adam Mendelsohn, Vivani's President and Chief Executive Officer, stated that the collaboration underscores the company's optimism about the market potential for its glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) implants currently in development. Mendelsohn expressed that the NanoPortal implants, including NPM-139, could cater to a growing demographic of patients desiring a convenient treatment option that requires dosing only once or twice yearly, while also allowing the flexibility to discontinue treatment if necessary.

Additionally, Vivani plans to begin a Phase 1 randomised, first-in-human study of the NPM-139 semaglutide implant by mid-2026, comparing it with Wegovy injections as an active comparator. This study is set to assess the safety, pharmacokinetics, and tolerability of NPM-139 to pave the way for a Phase 2 dose-ranging study, contingent upon successful Phase 1 outcomes.

Vivani's development strategy includes a range of GLP-1-based implants targeting metabolic diseases. These NanoPortal implants are engineered to minimize the frequency of oral or injectable dosing by providing long-term treatment solutions.