Exhibit 99.1
Vivani Medical Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025
Financial Results and Provides Business Update
Successful completion of first-in-human study LIBERATE-1
paired with preclinical proof of concept data for a semaglutide implant advance
NPM-139, miniature, ultra long-acting semaglutide implant under development for
chronic weight management toward a Phase 1 clinical study with results
anticipated by the end of 2026.
Single preclinical administration of semaglutide implant configuration
demonstrates continued semaglutide exposure and >20% sham-adjusted weight
loss for a full year.
Solid cash position from multiple recent financings will support
operations into mid-2027 and enable the projected completion of key milestones
including the Phase 1 study of NPM-139.
Alameda, CA --
(GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- March 26, 2026 – Vivani Medical, Inc. (Nasdaq: VANI)
(“Vivani” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company
developing miniature, ultra long-acting subdermal drug implant candidates
utilizing its proprietary NanoPortal™ technology, today reported financial
results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2025, and
provided a business update.
“2025 was a pivotal
year for Vivani. We successfully completed our first-in-human study,
LIBERATE-1; we demonstrated feasibility of our technology with semaglutide, the
active ingredient in Wegovy® and Ozempic®; and we made progress
against strategic decisions that favorably position the Company in the GLP-1
marketplace,” said Vivani
Chief Executive Officer Adam Mendelsohn, Ph.D. “The decision to
focus on semaglutide was made based on the combination of promising initial preclinical
semaglutide implant feasibility data and encouraging results from LIBERATE-1,
the first-in-human application of our proprietary NanoPortal implant technology
with exenatide. Our encouragement was reinforced after having recently
demonstrated sustained preclinical semaglutide exposures and >20% sham-adjusted
weight loss for a full year with a single implant administration. Our GLP-1
implant candidates are unique because of their potential for both once- or
twice-yearly administration and the ability to quickly eliminate GLP-1 levels
between scheduled administrations if that became necessary. Because GLP-1 based
medicines are contraindicated for prevalent conditions such as pregnancy, and because
GLP-1 discontinuation is recommended before certain procedures such as
surgeries with high aspiration risk, the ability to quickly cease treatment
will be a critical feature in any GLP-1 based product that provides sustained
delivery for many months at a time.”
Dr. Mendelsohn continued:
“In addition, we have made significant progress in advancing our manufacturing
capabilities through thoughtful capital equipment purchases and facilities
upgrades as part of our efforts to begin preparing for commercial-scale
manufacturing. Having also achieved significant clinical operations progress,
we project the initiation of our Phase 1 feasibility for NPM-139 (semaglutide implant)
for chronic weight management in mid-2026 with data potentially available by the
end of this year. This initial Phase 1 study will be conducted in Australia,
allowing us to leverage our recent success with LIBERATE-1 and take advantage
of the attractive tax incentives provided by the Australian government.”
Recent Business
Highlights
On August 5, 2025, Vivani announced plans to
support the rapid advancement of NPM-139, a novel semaglutide implant, based on
promising results from the LIBERATE-1 clinical study and additional positive
data from a preclinical study with a semaglutide implant. LIBERATE-1,
the first-in-human application of Vivani’s proprietary NanoPortal implant
technology, demonstrated a positive safety and tolerability profile and
encouraging performance data. Vivani also announced new NPM-139
(semaglutide implant) preclinical feasibility data that demonstrated approximately
20% sham-adjusted weight loss with a single implant, which had been
maintained for more than six months at the time of the announcement. Since the
announcement, this feasibility study has now demonstrated sustained sham-adjusted
weight loss >20% as well as sustained drug exposure for an entire year. These
semaglutide data support the potential for a semaglutide implant
with annual dosing. Based on the LIBERATE-1 data supporting the clinical
application of the NanoPortal platform technology, and the
preclinical weight loss data with a semaglutide implant
configuration, Vivani announced plans to prioritize advancement of NPM-139,
with clinical development expected to begin in 2026.
In September 2025,
Vivani announced plans to initiate a Phase 1 clinical study for the
NPM-139 semaglutide implant program, pending regulatory clearance, along with
high-level details of the anticipated study design. The Company also
announced parallel preparations to initiate a Phase 2 clinical study of NPM-139
pending enabling results from the Phase 1 study and regulatory feedback. The
Company anticipates initiating the Phase 1 study
in mid-2026.
The Company plans to continue
exploring opportunities for Vivani’s stockholders to potentially realize value
in its neuromodulation assets. Cortigent Inc. (“Cortigent”), a wholly owned
subsidiary of the Company, filed amendments to its registration statement
on Form S-1 with the most recent amendments occurring on March 3 and March 17,
2026.
Including multiple share purchase
agreements and registered direct offerings it entered into in 2025 and in 2026
year-to-date, the Company raised $41.5M in gross proceeds. Current cash,
equivalents and commitments as of December 31, 2025, are expected to fund
operations into mid-2027.
Upcoming Anticipated
Milestones
·
Phase 1 study results for low-dose NPM-139, Vivani’s miniature,
ultra long-acting semaglutide implant under development for chronic weight
management, by the end of 2026.
·
Investigational New Drug Application for NPM-139 to support
the proposed Phase 2 dose-ranging study of this semaglutide implant.
·
Transition of Cortigent into an independent, publicly
traded company. Currently exploring both a spin-off to be registered on a Form
10 and an IPO to be registered on a Form S-1 registration statement.
Fourth Quarter 2025
Financial Results
Note: Vivani (or the “Company”)
refers to the consolidated company including the Biopharm Division and
Cortigent. The Biopharm Division refers to the drug implant business, the main
focus of the consolidated company.
Cash Balance: As of December
31, 2025, Vivani had cash and cash equivalents totaling $16.2 million, compared
to $18.4 million as of December 31, 2024. The decrease of $2.2 million is
primarily attributed to a net loss of $26.6 million, and $1.2 million related
to purchase of equipment, which was mostly offset by net proceeds of $23.3
million provided by the financing activities, non-cash items totaling $3.5
million which include stock-based compensation, depreciation
and amortization of property and equipment, and lease expense.
Research and
development expenses: Research and development expenses during the fourth quarter of 2025 were
$4.6 million, compared to $4.3 million during the fourth quarter of 2024. The increase
of $0.3 million, or 7%, was primarily attributable to staffing
reduction and reduced use of outside services.
General and
administrative expenses: General and administrative expenses during the fourth
quarter of 2025 were $2.2 million, compared to $2.1 million during the
fourth quarter of 2024.
Other income (expense): Other income
(expense), net during the fourth quarter of 2025 was $0.2 million,
compared to $0.4 million during the fourth quarter of 2024. The decrease of
$0.2 million, or 50%, was
primarily attributable to lower interest income being earned on
deposits from the Biopharm Division and the write off of the accumulated
other comprehensive income related to foreign currency translation balance of the
Neurostimulation Division’s Switzerland subsidiary which effectively
closed in 2025, partially offset by an increase R&D rebates earned.
Net Loss: The net loss during
the fourth quarter of 2025 was $6.6 million, compared to $6.1 million
during the fourth quarter of 2024. The increase of $0.5 million, or 8%, was primarily attributable
to the increase in the clinical trial related expense and development expense
from our Biopharm Division, the increase in professional services and the decrease in other income from our
Neurostimulation Division and our Biopharm Division.
Full Year 2025 Financial
Results
Research and development expense. Research and
development expense during the year ended December 31, 2025 was $18.1 million,
compared to $15.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase
of $2.4 million, or 15%, was primarily attributable
to the increase in both the clinical trial related expense and
development expense from our Biopharm Division.
General and administrative expense. General and
administrative expense during the year ended December 31, 2025 was $9.4
million, compared to $8.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2024. The
increase of $0.5 million, or 6%, was primarily
attributable to the increase in the professional services of
our Neurostimulation Division and our Biopharm Division.
Other income, net. Other income,
net during the year ended December 31, 2025 was $0.9 million, compared to $1.2
million during the year ended December 31, 2024. The decrease of $0.3 million
was primarily attributable to lower interest income being earned on
deposits from our Biopharm Division and the write off of the accumulated
other comprehensive income related to foreign currency translation balance of
our Neurostimulation Division’s Switzerland subsidiary effectively closed
in 2025, partially offset by an increase R&D rebates earned.
Net loss. The net loss
during the year ended December 31, 2025 was $26.6 million, compared to $23.5
million during the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase in net loss of $3.1
million was primarily attributable to the increase in the clinical trial
related expense and development expense from our Biopharm Division, the
increase in professional services and the decrease
in other income from our Neurostimulation Division and our Biopharm
Division.
About
Vivani Medical, Inc.
Leveraging
its proprietary NanoPortal™ platform, Vivani develops biopharmaceutical
implants designed to deliver drug molecules steadily over extended periods of
time with the goal of guaranteeing adherence and improving patient tolerance to
their medication. Vivani is developing a portfolio of GLP-1 based implants for
metabolic diseases including obesity and type-2 diabetes. These NanoPortal
implants are designed to provide patients with the opportunity to realize the
full potential benefit of their medication by avoiding the numerous challenges
associated with the daily or weekly administration of orals and injectables,
including tolerability issues and loss of efficacy. Medication non-adherence
occurs when patients do not take their medication as prescribed. This affects
an alarming number of patients, approximately 50%, including those taking daily
pills. For more information, please visit: www.vivani.com.
About Cortigent,
Inc.
Cortigent,
Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Vivani, is developing brain implant devices
to help patients recover critical body functions. Our patent-protected
precision neurostimulation technology platform leverages neuroscience and
proprietary microelectronics to create advanced medical devices. Our
predecessor, Second Sight Medical Products, previously marketed Argus® II, the
first and only medical device to obtain FDA approval to treat a rare form of
blindness. This innovative device has helped hundreds of profoundly blind
patients to achieve meaningful visual perception. Cortigent’s next generation
investigational system, the Orion® cortical stimulation system, has been
designed to treat blindness caused by common conditions including glaucoma and
diabetic retinopathy. Orion has an FDA Breakthrough Device designation,
completed a 6-year Early Feasibility Study in 2025 with promising safety and
efficacy results and is covered by an extensive intellectual property estate.
Cortigent is also applying its core technology to improving recovery of arm and
hand motion in patients with paralysis due to stroke. For more information and
patient videos, please visit: www.cortigent.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This
press release contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning
of the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. Forward looking statements can be identified by words such
as: “target,” “believe,” “expect,” “will,” “may,” “anticipate,” “estimate,”
“would,” “positioned,” “future,” and other similar expressions that are used in
this press release, including statements regarding Vivani’s business, products
in development, including the therapeutic potential thereof, the planned
development thereof, Vivani’s plans with respect to Cortigent and its
technology, strategy, cash position and financial runway. Forward-looking
statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance.
Instead, they are based only on Vivani’s current beliefs, expectations, and
assumptions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are
subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are
difficult to predict and many of which are outside of Vivani’s control. These
statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those reflected in such statements, including, without
limitation, risks that the spin-off will not be completed in a timely manner or
at all; risks of failure to satisfy any conditions to the spin-off; risks of
failure of the spin-off to qualify for nonrecognition of gain or loss for U.S. federal
income tax purposes; uncertainty of whether the anticipated benefits of the
spin-off can be achieved; risks of unexpected costs or delays; and risks and
uncertainties associated with the development and commercialization of products
and product candidates that may impact or alter anticipated business plans,
strategies and objectives. Actual results and outcomes may differ materially
from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should
not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that
could cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially from those
indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, risks
related to market conditions and the ability of Cortigent to complete its spin-off,
Cortigent’s history of losses and its ability to access additional capital or
otherwise fund its business and advance its product candidates and preclinical
programs. The foregoing sets forth many, but not all, of the factors that could
cause actual results to differ from our expectations in any forward-looking
statement. There may be additional risks that the Company or Cortigent consider
immaterial, or which are unknown. A further list and description of risks and
uncertainties can be found in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form
10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on March 26, 2026,
as updated by the Company’s subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Any
forward-looking statement made by Vivani in this press release is based only on
information currently available to the Company and speaks only as of the date
on which it is made. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update
any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time
to time, whether as a result of added information, future developments or
otherwise, except as required by law
Company
Contacts:
Company Contact:
Donald Dwyer
Chief Business Officer
info@vivani.com
(415) 506-8462
Investor and Media Relations
Contact:
Jami Taylor
Investor and Media Relations Advisor
investors@vivani.com
(415) 506-8462
VIVANI MEDICAL, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except per share data)
| |
|
December 31, |
|
| |
|
2025 |
|
|
2024 |
|
| ASSETS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| CURRENT ASSETS: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
16,232 |
|
|
$ |
18,352 |
|
R&D tax credit incentive receivable
|
|
|
654 |
|
|
|
253 |
|
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
|
|
1,012 |
|
|
|
1,837 |
|
| Total current assets |
|
|
17,898 |
|
|
|
20,442 |
|
| Property and equipment, net |
|
|
2,879 |
|
|
|
1,693 |
|
| Operating lease right-of-use assets, net |
|
|
17,230 |
|
|
|
17,957 |
|
| Restricted cash |
|
|
1,338 |
|
|
|
1,338 |
|
| Deposits and other assets |
|
|
48 |
|
|
|
131 |
|
| TOTAL ASSETS |
|
$ |
39,393 |
|
|
$ |
41,561 |
|
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| CURRENT LIABILITIES: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Accounts payable |
|
$ |
1,032 |
|
|
$ |
817 |
|
| Accrued expenses |
|
|
1,736 |
|
|
|
1,803 |
|
| Litigation accrual |
|
|
1,675 |
|
|
|
1,675 |
|
| Accrued compensation expense |
|
|
365 |
|
|
|
343 |
|
| Lease liability, current portion |
|
|
1,794 |
|
|
|
1,348 |
|
| Total current liabilities |
|
|
6,602 |
|
|
|
5,986 |
|
| Lease liability, noncurrent portion |
|
|
17,061 |
|
|
|
17,965 |
|
| TOTAL LIABILITIES |
|
|
23,663 |
|
|
|
23,951 |
|
| Commitments and contingencies (Note 13) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share; 10,000 shares authorized; none outstanding |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Common stock, par value $0.0001 per share; 300,000 shares authorized; shares issued and outstanding: 76,428 and 59,235 as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
| Additional paid-in capital |
|
|
164,225 |
|
|
|
139,480 |
|
| Accumulated other comprehensive income |
|
|
30 |
|
|
|
48 |
|
| Accumulated deficit |
|
|
(148,533 |
) |
|
|
(121,924 |
) |
| TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY |
|
|
15,730 |
|
|
|
17,610 |
|
| TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY |
|
$ |
39,393 |
|
|
$ |
41,561 |
|
VIVANI MEDICAL, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except per share data)
| |
|
Year Ended December 31, |
|
| |
|
2025 |
|
|
2024 |
|
| Operating expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Research and development, net of grants
|
|
$ |
18,126 |
|
|
$ |
15,745 |
|
| General and administrative, net of grants |
|
|
9,430 |
|
|
|
8,932 |
|
| Total operating expenses |
|
|
27,556 |
|
|
|
24,677 |
|
Loss from operations
|
|
|
(27,556 |
) |
|
|
(24,677 |
) |
| Other income (expense), net |
|
|
947 |
|
|
|
1,191 |
|
| Net loss |
|
$ |
(26,609 |
) |
|
$ |
(23,486 |
) |
Net loss per common share - basic and diluted
|
|
$ |
(0.43 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.43 |
) |
| Weighted average shares outstanding - basic and diluted |
|
|
62,389 |
|
|
|
54,981 |
|