Vivus

Vivus (otc pink: VVUSQ) is a small pharmaceutical company headquartered in Campbell, California that specializes in obesity, sleep, and sexual health. Vivus developed Avanafil, an erectile dysfunction drug that has completed Phase 3 clinical trials.[1] The drug has been approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration, and is sold under the trademark name Stendra.[2] Stendra is the first and only oral erectile dysfunction treatment approved to be taken approximately 15 minutes before sexual activity.[3]

Overview

The 2009 documentary film "Orgasm Inc." was made at Vivus to document the process of creating a treatment for female sexual arousal disorder (FSD).

Vivus also developed an obesity drug, Qnexa (now called Qsymia), a combination of phentermine and topiramate, two existing weight-loss drugs.[4] On July 17, 2012, the Food and Drug Administration approved Qsymia (phentermine and topiramate extended-release) as an addition to a reduced-calorie diet and exercise for chronic weight management. The drug was approved for use in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater (obese) or adults with a BMI of 27 or greater (overweight) who have at least one weight-related condition such as high blood pressure (hypertension), type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol (dyslipidemia).[5][6]

In 2016, the company was ranked #23 on the Deloitte Fast 500 North America list.[7]

In 2020, the company filed for bankruptcy protection.[8]

References

  1. Phase 3 Data on VIVUS' Avanafil for Erectile Dysfunction to be Featured at the AUA 2010 Annual Meeting, ""^
  2. Most Popular in Your Life USA Today^
  3. VIVUS and Auxilium Announce Stendra Label Expansion Zacks Investment Research^
  4. Controlled-Release Phentermine/Topiramate in Severely Obese Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial (EQUIP), ""^
  5. Nancy Hellmich. New diet drug helps patients lose about 10% of weight USA Today, 17 July 2012, retrieved 17 July 2012^
  6. Medications Target Long-Term Weight Control FDA.gov, retrieved 17 July 2012^
  7. 2016 Winners by rank Deloitte, retrieved 14 October 2017^
  8. Drugmaker Vivus Files for Bankruptcy in Deal With IEH The Wall Street Journal, July 7, 2020^