Terrestrial Doses First Patients in Phase 1 Clinical Trial of Tacterra™ Microarray Patch for Semaglutide Delivery 

BOSTON, July 1, 2026 —Terrestrial Bio, Inc., a biotech company transforming the delivery of next-generation therapies, today announced it has dosed its first patients in the company's Phase 1 clinical trial evaluating VX-201, a needle-free microarray patch (MAP) that delivers semaglutide.

"GLP-1 therapies have transformed how we treat metabolic disease, but injecting GLP-1s can be painful for patients, while cold-chain requirements for shipments limit access and drive up costs," said Rachel Sha, CEO of Terrestrial. "The Tacterra™ platform has the potential to offer a much more patient-friendly experience. Starting our first in human trials brings us one step closer to making patch-based GLP-1 therapy a reality."

VX-201 delivers semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy®, using a patch applied to the skin with a spring-loaded applicator. The base of each microneedle dissolves within five minutes of application, deploying semaglutide-loaded microneedle tips into the skin’s upper layers. 

The study is being conducted at a single U.S. site and enrolls approximately 62 healthy adults with a body mass index of 25–40 kg/m², ages 18–60:

• The single ascending dose phase enrolls 32 subjects across two dose cohorts of 0.25 mg and 0.5 mg, randomized 1:1 to receive either VX-201 or Wegovy® subcutaneous (SC) injection as a reference comparator. 

• The multiple dose phase will enroll 30 subjects who first complete a 12-week titration on semaglutide SC, then are randomized 1:1 to receive either VX-201 or semaglutide SC at maintenance doses of 1.7 mg and 2.4 mg for an additional eight weeks. Safety and tolerability, including skin sensitivity at the patch application site, are the primary endpoints.

“VX-201 is designed to deliver equivalent systemic semaglutide exposure with a patch-based experience patients may find more acceptable than traditional injection, which is a meaningful differentiator in the obesity treatment landscape,” said Lynda Tussey, PhD, Chief Development Officer of Terrestrial. “Our preclinical work gave us confidence in the Tacterra™ Microarray Patch, and we're now carefully and systematically generating the clinical evidence we need to advance.”

The Phase 1 trial builds on a body of human-centered evidence supporting the Tacterra™ platform. In a human factors study published in December 2025, 95% of participants preferred the microarray patch applicator over traditional injection devices such as the Ozempic prefilled pen. Additionally, the preclinical data Terrestrial presented at the 2025 American Diabetes Association (ADA) Scientific Sessions demonstrated that the company’s microarray patch (MAP) is capable of delivering semaglutide with bioavailability comparable to subcutaneous injection.

About Terrestrial Bio, Inc.

Terrestrial is transforming the delivery of next-generation therapies, starting with GLP-1.

Terrestrial's proprietary Tacterra™ microarray patch (MAP) and applicator platform consists of a patch resembling an adhesive bandage, which is applied with a preloaded applicator and removed after a few minutes. Once applied, each patch delivers bioactive tips into the skin, which dissolve quickly into the body, rapidly releasing their therapeutic payload. Designed for self-administration, the temperature-stable Tacterra™ platform enables precise, controlled delivery of a wide range of therapeutics without medical sharps or refrigeration.

Terrestrial has generated strong clinical and in-vivo proof of concept across multiple molecules. For more information, visit www.terrestrialbio.com.