GLP-1 Patches: Separating Science from Hype

Last week, I had the privilege of speaking at the 2025 Tough Tech Summit hosted by The Engine , an event that brings together startups, investors, and ecosystem leaders for a day of pitches, panels, and thoughtful discussions. As I spent the day learning about incredible work being done across industries, from human health to planetary health, I was reminded of how there are no shortcuts when solving extremely challenging problems with complex new technologies. 

Significant technological advancements take time to develop, but pay incredible dividends in how they can impact the lives of millions. On the opposite end of this spectrum, companies that try to take shortcuts in advancements not only often fail to live up to their promise, but can damage the broader industry’s credibility. 

That’s why I’m increasingly alarmed by what’s happening in one of the fastest-growing therapeutic categories today: GLP-1s. 

In 2025, there’s been a flood of counterfeit “GLP-1 patches” claiming to offer all the benefits of Ozempic or Wegovy, but without the needles or prescriptions. These products are not only ineffective, but they’re also undermining the rigorous work being done by companies like Vaxess to advance new delivery methods responsibly.

At Vaxess, we’re developing a needle-free, self-applied microarray patch (MAP) that can deliver GLP-1 therapies like semaglutide safely and effectively at home. And unlike the products flooding the internet, our technology is the result of years of biomaterials research, preclinical testing, and collaboration with top institutions and government agencies.

This year, at the 2025 American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions in Chicago, our team presented new preclinical data showing that our dissolvable microarray patch delivers semaglutide with bioavailability comparable to subcutaneous injection in a well-established preclinical model (Göttingen minipigs). Both of the patch designs we tested achieved clinically relevant doses (2 nmol/kg), comparable exposure to injection, and modestly higher Cmax, with similar half-life profiles.

Vaxess’s work is grounded in the conviction that needle-free delivery can transform patient experience. Our patch doesn’t require refrigeration, can be self-applied at home, and is designed to increase both access and adherence. It’s the kind of innovation that earns its place on the stage at the Tough Tech Summit, and one that I’m looking forward to bringing to market in the not-too-distant future.