Novo Nordisk, the maker of GLP-1 medicines like Ozempic and Wegovy, is currently exploring a new way to deliver weight-loss treatment that could reduce the need for weekly injections. The Danish pharma company has partnered with Vivani Medical to evaluate an experimental long-acting GLP-1 implant (semaglutide) that could release the medication continuously for up to a year. If successful, it could mark a significant step toward making GLP-1 drug more convenient for people living with obesity. What Is The Semaglutide Implant? The implant, known as NPM-139, is a miniature device developed using Vivani's proprietary NanoPortal technology. Rather than requiring patients to inject semaglutide every week, the tiny implant is placed beneath the skin and slowly releases the medication over an extended period. According to Vivani, the goal is to provide consistent drug delivery with once- or twice-yearly dosing, with the long-term ambition of supporting treatment that could last up to a year from a single implant. However, the technology is still in development. Adam Mendelsohn, Ph.D., President and CEO of Vivani Medical said, “The new agreement announced today supporting our semaglutide implant program in chronic weight management demonstrates Novo Nordisk's interest in evaluating our technology and its lead semaglutide application. This agreement reinforces our confidence regarding the market opportunity for our GLP-1 implants under development. We believe that our NanoPortal implants under development, including NPM-139, could address a growing segment of patients who would prefer a convenient once- or twice-yearly treatment option and the peace of mind that treatment could be stopped at any time if that became necessary.”Also read: Wegovy Weight Loss Pill Available in UK Pharmacies From Today: All You Should KnowWhy GLP-1 Implant Could Be Groundbreaking? GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy have transformed obesity treatment by helping people lose significant amounts of weight while also improving blood sugar control. However, these medications require regular injections, which can affect long-term adherence. Research has shown that many patients discontinue GLP-1 therapy within the first year because of factors like treatment fatigue, gastrointestinal side effects, cost, and the inconvenience of ongoing injections. An implant capable of delivering semaglutide continuously for months together could help by reducing dosing frequency and maintaining more consistent drug levels. The Rise Of GLP-1 Therapies In Obesity Treatment The obesity drug market is rapidly evolving. With the advent of GLP-1 medications, the number of users who have tried this therapy is at an all-time high. According to Gallup's latest National Health and Well-Being Index, 11% of U.S. adults currently use a GLP-1 medication for weight loss. In 2024, this number was just 3%. The survey also said that 15% of adults have tried a GLP-1 medication at some point, compared to the 6% from two years ago. With the ever-increasing demand, researchers are investigating oral GLP-1 medicines, monthly injections, combination therapies, and now long-acting implants that could reduce the number of treatments patients need each year. While the yearly semaglutide implant is still an experimental concept, Novo Nordisk's decision to evaluate the technology highlights growing industry interest in making obesity treatment simpler and easier for patients to maintain in the long run.