An American biotechnology company is developing an implantable weight-loss device as an alternative to weekly injections of GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy. Researcher Adam Mendelsohn, based in San Francisco, is leading work on the implant.
The development comes as a meta-analysis published in the British Medical Journal found that the most potent GLP-1 obesity medications carry the highest burden of side effects. Reviewing more than 200 studies, researchers identified digestive issues, nausea, and vomiting as the most common adverse reactions. Tirzepatid, marketed as Mounjaro by Eli Lilly, and Novo Nordisk's Cagrisema produced roughly 15 percent body-weight loss, while semaglutid (Wegovy) yielded about 10 percent. Both semaglutid and tirzepatid reduced cardiovascular risks, though none of the drugs improved patients' quality of life.
France has approved reimbursement for Wegovy and Mounjaro under strict eligibility criteria.