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]