Denmark | Dansk
United States | EN
Finland | Suomi
Iceland | íslensku
Poland | Polski
Sweden | Svenska
Improving patient quality of life
With demonstrated clinical development and commercialization expertise, VIVUS is dedicated to addressing the therapeutic needs of patients with serious medical conditions and life-limiting diseases.
VIVUS is a focused organization
We develop high-potential molecules that have compelling safety and efficacy potential, and transform them into proprietary products that enable significant advances in patient care and outcomes.
We strive to meet our goals of improving patient quality of life, giving healthcare providers new treatment options, providing a collaborative environment for our employees and creating value for our shareholders.
Our history
Learn about the evolution of VIVUS and the expansion of our business globally. Click through or select a year to navigate our interactive timeline.
The founding and foundation of VIVUS
Founded in 1991 by two pharmaceutical experts, VIVUS was established to develop innovative therapies for unmet medical needs, creating a strong foundation for its growth in the biopharmaceutical industry. In March 1994, VIVUS went public with its initial public offering (IPO). In 2005, VIVUS announced its focus on developing obesity treatments after acquiring the intellectual property for combining phentermine and topiramate to treat the disease.
Product approvals and portfolio growth
This period saw the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approve various VIVUS medications including a phentermine/topiramate-based treatment for the treatment of obesity. This obesity treatment was launched in the United States in 2012.
In 2018 VIVUS acquired the U.S. and Canadian commercial rights to an exocrine pancreatic insufficiency treatment from Janssen Pharmaceuticals and continues to market the medication in these countries.
Global expansion and increased access to anti-obesity medication
VIVUS significantly expanded access to its anti-obesity medication globally during this period. In 2019, the South Korean MFDS approved the use of VIVUS' anti-obesity medication to treat adults and the product was launched in 2020.
In 2022, market authorizations were granted in granted in Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Poland. In 2023, VIVUS established its European headquarters and launched the medication in these markets.
In 2025, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) approved VIVUS' weight-management treatment, making it the first Middle Eastern market for the medication.
Fighting the obesity epidemic
Obesity currently affects over 1 billion people and, without action, the World Obesity Foundation estimates that 4 billion people will be affected by overweight and obesity by 2035.1
- The estimated number of people who die each year globally as a result of obesity or overweight.2
- The global number of children expected to be living with overweight and obesity by 2035.3
Obesity is an urgent global issue, and is frequently misunderstood as personal failure rather than a chronic disease. VIVUS is committed to advancing treatment options for obesity and offering much-needed hope to adult patients globally. We launched our prescription anti-obesity medication in 2012 in the United States and have worked to expand access to this treatment option globally.
It’s time to talk about weight and health differently.
REFERENCES:
1. World Obesity Federation. (n.d.). Retrieved from Economic impact of overweight and obesity to surpass $4 trillion by 2035. https://www.worldobesity.org/news/economic-impact-of-overweight-and-obesity-to-surpass-4-trillion-by-2035
2. World Health Organization (WHO). (n.d.). Obesity and overweight. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight
3. World Obesity Federation. (n.d.). World Obesity Atlas 2024. Retrieved from https://data.worldobesity.org/publications/?cat=22