LIFE: Lifecare successfully manufactures first functional implants in-house in Bergen
2026-09-29 07:00:04
Bergen, Norway, 29 September 2026: Lifecare ASA (LIFE), a medical sensor
company developing next-generation continuous glucose monitoring (CGM)
technology, has successfully manufactured the first functional CGM implants
produced through Lifecare's own manufacturing operations in Bergen. The
milestone represents an important step towards establishing controlled
manufacturing of Lifecare's implantable sensor technology.
The implants were manufactured on the temporary production line established in
Bergen in August. Two implants successfully passed functional testing in
Bergen and were subsequently transferred to Lifecare Chemistry in Bristol, UK,
where they have now also successfully completed in-vitro and end-of-line
testing. The testing confirmed that the first Lifecare-manufactured implants
are functional and generate stable measurable signals. The implants are
expected to be transferred to Lifecare's ongoing veterinary development
programme, pending completion of final pre-implantation testing.
This marks the first time functional CGM implants have been manufactured
internally by Lifecare rather than by an external contract manufacturer.
From production transfer to controlled manufacturing
While the successful production demonstrates that the core implant
manufacturing process has been transferred to Bergen, controlled manufacturing
has not yet been established. This requires the process to demonstrate the
necessary repeatability, process control, traceability and quality
documentation across a larger number of implants.
Subsequently, Lifecare has transferred its temporary production line to the
new manufacturing facilities at Ocean TuniCell's premises in Bergen. The
facilities provide significantly improved infrastructure for implant
manufacturing, including dedicated production and laboratory areas and
controlled-environment capabilities.
Production in the new facilities is expected to commence shortly. Lifecare
will then increase production volumes and systematically qualify the
manufacturing process, maintaining its ambition to establish controlled
manufacturing during autumn of 2026.
"This is an important operational milestone for Lifecare. For the first time,
functional implants have been manufactured by Lifecare's own team. Our next
task is to demonstrate repeatability and establish the controls required for
our regulatory programme," says Joacim Holter, CEO of Lifecare.
Supporting regulatory preparations
The production scale-up will provide additional implants and data to support
Lifecare's regulatory preparations, including further work related to
sterilisation and biocompatibility.
Lifecare is not currently providing a specific date for filing the application
for regulatory approval of the planned CE-mark clinical study. The timing will
depend on completion of ongoing manufacturing documentation and verification
activities. The company will provide further information when sufficient data
is available to establish a more precise filing schedule.
Manufacturing consolidated in Bergen
The milestone also marks an important step in Lifecare's operational
consolidation. Following the discontinuation of the company's German
operations and the transfer of implant manufacturing previously performed by
external partners, Lifecare has now established its core implant manufacturing
capability within its own organisation in Bergen.
The co-location of Lifecare and its subsidiary Ocean TuniCell is nearing
completion, bringing manufacturing, quality, laboratory infrastructure and
technical personnel together at the same site.
Lifecare's chemistry development and related R&D activities remain centred at
Lifecare Chemistry in Bristol. The Bristol operation will focus on its core
competencies in chemistry and chemistry engineering, both to further optimise
Lifecare's glucose sensing technology and to explore applications of the
company's sensing platform for additional analytes and use areas.
Lifecare will continue production scale-up and qualification activities during
the autumn and communicate further progress as material milestones are
achieved.
About us
Lifecare ASA is a medical sensor company developing technology for sensing and
monitoring of various body analytes. Lifecare's focus is to bring the next
generation of Continuous Glucose Monitoring systems to market. Lifecare
enables osmotic pressure as sensing principle. Lifecare's sensor technology is
suitable for identifying and monitoring the occurrence of a wide range of
analytes and molecules in the human body and in pets.
Contacts
For further information, please contact:
Joacim Holter, CEO, joacim.holter@lifecare.no, +47 40 05 90 40
Petter Nielsen, CFO, petter.nielsen@lifecare.no, +47 92 24 74 64
CEO\, joacim.holter@lifecare.no\, +47 40 05 90 40\
Petter Nielsen\, CFO\, petter.nielsen@lifecare.no\, +47 92 24 74 64\