Vivus

{{Short description|Pharmaceutical Company}}

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.Phase 3 Data on VIVUS' Avanafil for Erectile Dysfunction to be Featured at the AUA 2010 Annual Meeting, "[http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/phase-3-data-on-vivus-avanafil-for-erectile-dysfunction-to-be-featured-at-the-aua-2010-annual-meeting-95098154.html]" The drug has been approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration, and is sold under the trademark name Stendra.{{cite news| url=http://yourlife.usatoday.com/health/healthyperspective/post/2012-04-27/fda-approves-new-drug-for-erectile-dysfunction/682550/1?csp=34news | work=USA Today | title=Most Popular in Your Life}} Stendra is the first and only oral erectile dysfunction treatment approved to be taken approximately 15 minutes before sexual activity.{{cite web|url=https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/147893/vivus-and-auxilium-announce-stendra-label-expansion|title=VIVUS and Auxilium Announce Stendra Label Expansion|website=Zacks Investment Research}}

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.Controlled-Release Phentermine/Topiramate in Severely Obese Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial (EQUIP), "[http://www.vivus.com/images/stories/downloads_newsroom/equipobesityoct2011.pdf]{{Dead link|date=April 2023|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}" 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).{{cite news|last=Hellmich|first=Nancy|title=New diet drug helps patients lose about 10% of weight|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/health/story/2012-07-18/qsymia-diet-drug-approval/56271594/1|publisher=USA Today|access-date=17 July 2012|date=17 July 2012}}{{cite web|title=Medications Target Long-Term Weight Control|url=https://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm312380.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120720213738/http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm312380.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 20, 2012|publisher=FDA.gov|access-date=17 July 2012}}

In 2016, the company was ranked #23 on the Deloitte Fast 500 North America list.{{cite web|url=https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/us/Documents/technology-media-telecommunications/us-tmt-2016-fast-500-winners-by-rank.pdf|title=2016 Winners by rank|publisher=Deloitte|access-date=14 October 2017|archive-date=21 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161121233341/https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/us/Documents/technology-media-telecommunications/us-tmt-2016-fast-500-winners-by-rank.pdf|url-status=dead}}

In 2020, the company filed for bankruptcy protection.{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/drugmaker-vivus-files-for-bankruptcy-in-deal-with-ieh-11594165230|title=Drugmaker Vivus Files for Bankruptcy in Deal With IEH|publisher=The Wall Street Journal|date=July 7, 2020}}