Trending Now - Innovative Implant Functions as 'living Pharmacy' for Drug Delivery

WHO:

A multi-institutional team of scientists co-led by Northwestern University.

WHAT:

Scientists developed an implantable device called the HOBIT implant that functions as a "living pharmacy."

The HOBIT implant can produce and deliver three different biologics simultaneously: an anti-HIV antibody, a GLP-1-like peptide for type 2 diabetes, and leptin for appetite and metabolism regulation.

The device was shown to remain effective inside rats for at least one month.

WHERE:

The research was conducted at Northwestern University and involved small animal models.

WHEN:

The study was published in the journal Device in 2026.

HOW:

The device contains engineered cells that continuously produce medicines inside the body when implanted under the skin.

(UPDATED March 27, 2026 17:18 UTC)

A team of scientists co-led by Northwestern University has developed an innovative implantable device known as the HOBIT implant, which acts as a "living pharmacy." This remarkable device can simultaneously produce and deliver three different biologics: an anti-HIV antibody, a GLP-1-like peptide for type 2 diabetes, and leptin to help regulate appetite and metabolism, and it has shown effectiveness in small animal models for at least one month. The findings of this groundbreaking research were published in the journal Device in 2026.