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Vivani Medical and Okava Expand Collaboration to Develop OKV-119 for Dogs, Targeting Metabolic Health and Longevity
Newsfilter· 2025-04-15 12:30
Core Insights - Vivani Medical and Okava Pharmaceuticals are expanding their collaboration to develop OKV-119, a long-acting GLP-1 therapy for weight management and cardiometabolic conditions in dogs, building on their initial partnership focused on cats [1][3][4] Company Overview - Vivani Medical is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company specializing in miniature, ultra long-acting drug implants, utilizing its proprietary NanoPortal™ technology for steady drug delivery [1][5] - Okava Pharmaceuticals focuses on developing treatments for chronic diseases in aging dogs and cats, aiming to enhance the quality of veterinary care [1][8] Product Development - OKV-119 is designed to mimic the physiological effects of caloric restriction, improving insulin sensitivity and energy metabolism without altering feeding routines [3] - The product aims to address the issue of obesity in dogs, with over half of U.S. dogs classified as overweight or obese, which can lead to chronic diseases and reduced lifespans [3] Market Potential - The collaboration reflects a growing market for veterinary medicine, with Vivani's technology positioned to meet unmet needs and capture future value in this expanding industry segment [4] - Vivani's lead programs include NPM-139 and NPM-115, both GLP-1 implants for chronic weight management in humans, indicating a broader application of their technology [5][7] Financial Aspects - The financial terms of the expanded collaboration were not disclosed, but the partnership is structured to minimize costs and risks for Vivani while providing potential future milestone payments and royalties [4]