Cortigent's Orion Visual Stimulation System Completes 6-Year Feasibility Study
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 22 2026
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Should l Buy VANI?
Source: Newsfilter
- Technological Breakthrough: Cortigent's Orion cortical stimulation system has successfully completed a six-year Early Feasibility Study aimed at treating common forms of blindness, marking a significant advancement in neurostimulation technology that could offer visual perception hope to millions of blind individuals.
- Microelectrode Innovation: The system features a 60-output microelectrode array capable of precise electrical stimulation control, which is expected to significantly enhance navigation abilities for blind users, thereby improving their quality of life and independence.
- Clinical Application Potential: The design of the Orion system is based on 17 years of safe and effective use of the Argus II device, indicating its potential for clinical application and possibly driving further growth for Cortigent in the medical device market.
- Industry Influence: Cortigent will present its technology at the North American Neuromodulation Society annual meeting, further solidifying its leadership position in electrical brain implant technologies and fostering innovation through interaction with leading global researchers.
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Analyst Views on VANI
Wall Street analysts forecast VANI stock price to rise
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Moderate Buy
Current: 1.020
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Current: 1.020
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About VANI
Vivani Medical, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, developing miniature, ultra-long-acting drug implants. Leveraging its NanoPortal platform, it develops biopharmaceutical implants designed to deliver drug molecules steadily over extended periods of time with the goal of guaranteeing adherence, and to improve patient tolerance to their medication. Its lead program, NPM-115, is a six-month, subdermal, GLP-1 (exenatide) implant under development for chronic weight management in overweight individuals. Its pipeline includes NPM-139 (semaglutide implant), which is also under development for chronic weight management. NPM-119 refers to its six-month, subdermal, GLP-1 (exenatide) implant under development for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. These NanoPortal implants are designed to provide patients with the opportunity to realize the benefit of their medication by avoiding the challenges associated with the daily or weekly administration of orals and injectables.
About the author

Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
- Earnings Report: Vivani Medical's FY report reveals a GAAP EPS of -$0.43, missing expectations by $0.01, indicating challenges in the company's profitability.
- Cash Position: As of December 31, 2025, Vivani's cash and cash equivalents totaled $16.2 million, down from $18.4 million in 2024, primarily due to a net loss of $26.6 million and $1.2 million in equipment purchases.
- Financing Activities Impact: Despite the losses, net proceeds of $23.3 million from financing activities partially offset the cash flow decline, demonstrating the company's ability to secure capital.
- Non-Cash Items: The report also includes $3.5 million in non-cash items, such as stock-based compensation, depreciation and amortization of property and equipment, and lease expenses, which further impacted the company's financial performance.
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- Successful First Clinical Trial: Vivani Medical has successfully completed its first-in-human study, LIBERATE-1, demonstrating the feasibility of its NanoPortal implant technology, laying the groundwork for the clinical development of NPM-139, with results expected by the end of 2026, potentially enhancing the company's competitiveness in the GLP-1 market.
- Significant Weight Loss Results: A single preclinical administration of the semaglutide implant configuration achieved over 20% sham-adjusted weight loss over a year, indicating the implant's potential in chronic weight management, which could offer patients a more convenient treatment option.
- Strong Financial Position: As of December 31, 2025, Vivani reported $16.2 million in cash and cash equivalents, expected to fund operations into mid-2027, ensuring the completion of key milestones including the Phase 1 study of NPM-139.
- Enhanced Manufacturing Capabilities: The company has significantly improved its manufacturing capabilities through capital equipment purchases and facility upgrades, preparing for commercial-scale production, with plans to initiate the Phase 1 clinical study for NPM-139 in mid-2026, further driving business growth.
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- Clinical Study Results: Cortigent presented the results of a 6-year Early Feasibility Study of the Orion Visual Cortical Prosthesis System at the North American Neuromodulation Society annual meeting, demonstrating good safety and reliability, with plans for a larger pivotal trial to seek FDA marketing approval.
- Device Performance: Among the six subjects implanted between 2018 and 2019, all showed significant improvement in visual function tests, with final Functional Low-vision Observer Rated Assessment (FLORA) scores being positive or mildly positive, indicating a beneficial impact of the Orion system on their quality of life.
- Electrode Stability: Throughout the study, all devices remained functional with a functionality loss rate of less than 4%, indicating the reliability of the Orion system for long-term use and laying a foundation for future market introduction.
- Strategic Development Plans: Cortigent CEO Jonathan Adams stated that the company will collaborate with the FDA and world-leading experts to advance the Orion system, aiming to provide meaningful visual perception for the blind, showcasing the company's strategic vision in neurostimulation technology.
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- Offering Size: Vivani Medical has priced 1,689,200 common shares at $1.48 each, alongside a concurrent private placement of 1,351,351 shares purchased by Chairman Gregg Williams, raising a total of $4.5 million, indicating strong market interest in the company.
- Use of Proceeds: The net proceeds from this offering will fund ongoing research and clinical development of the company's product candidates, as well as provide working capital and general corporate purposes, ensuring sustained growth in a competitive healthcare landscape.
- Transaction Timeline: The registered offering and private placement are expected to close around January 27, providing the company with a swift influx of capital that will accelerate its research and development efforts.
- Market Reaction: The successful pricing of this offering reflects investor confidence in Vivani Medical's growth potential, which may positively impact the company's stock price and strengthen its market position in the healthcare sector.
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- Stock Offering Plan: Vivani Medical plans to sell 1.69 million shares at $1.48 each, alongside a private placement of 1.35 million shares, expecting gross proceeds of approximately $4.5 million, indicating proactive financing efforts.
- Clinical Development Outlook: The company anticipates initiating clinical development of NPM-139 for obesity and chronic weight management in 2026, highlighting its commitment to innovation in the biopharmaceutical sector and responsiveness to market demands.
- Clear Use of Funds: The net proceeds from the stock offering will be allocated to fund ongoing research and clinical development of product candidates, as well as for working capital and general corporate purposes, ensuring sustainable growth for the company.
- Stock Performance Review: VANI has traded between $0.90 and $1.92 over the past year, closing at $1.48 with a decline of 0.68%, reflecting a cautious market sentiment towards the company's stock.
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- Technical Presentation: Vivani Medical's wholly owned subsidiary, Cortigent, will present new technical insights into its Orion Visual Cortical Prosthesis System at the North American Neuromodulation Society annual meeting on January 23, 2026, aimed at delivering meaningful visual perception to individuals who are completely blind.
- Clinical Research Results: Following a six-year Early Feasibility Study, the Orion system utilizes a high-channel-count micro-electrode array to stimulate the visual cortex, converting video input from a wearable camera into phosphenes, demonstrating its potential in clinical applications for aiding navigation in blind individuals.
- Device Design: The Orion system features an implantable pulse generator with 60 outputs, roughly the size of three stacked dimes, connected to a 60-electrode cortical surface array, designed to support consistent visual perception and potentially serve as a practical assistive tool for common blindness causes like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.
- Market Potential: Cortigent is also developing a separate neurostimulation device aimed at improving arm and hand motor recovery in stroke patients, showcasing the broad application potential of its precision neurostimulation platform and further solidifying Vivani's market position in the biopharmaceutical sector.
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