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April 21, 2024
Opioid addiction and drug overdose have combined to become one of the most severe epidemics plaguing the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 92,000 people in the US died from a drug-related overdose in 2020, with most of these deaths involving opioids. Reports show the number continuing to rise through 2021, with more than 106,000 drug overdose-related deaths reported.
Approximately 142 million opioid prescriptions were written last year, and according to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, at least 16 million Americans abuse prescriptions yearly. Four out of five pharmacy-filled prescriptions are opioids. Ultimately, 12 percent of people who abuse prescription drugs become addicted.
These numbers are stark reminders that the medical and healthcare industries need more effective drug delivery and monitoring systems to ensure that medications are taken as prescribed and not misused. Paul Edalat, Chairman, Founder, and CEO of Vivera Pharmaceuticals, has stepped up and made it his Company’s goal to improve the addiction epidemic by developing intelligent devices and promising solutions with the goal of reducing drug misuse and saving lives.
Vivera is a science-driven pharmaceutical, medical device, and medical technology company headquartered in Southern California. Since day one, its mission has been to put patients first. From the opioid crisis to mental health and beyond, Vivera strives to fulfill its purpose and promise toward patient-centric research and development that puts the total health of the patient front and center. The Company always finds ways to give back and serves underrepresented and underserved local, national, and global communities.
It all started in 2004 when Mr. Edalat’s younger brother was diagnosed with an aggressive type of Hodgkin’s lymphoma. During his brother’s treatment, Mr. Edalat noticed several issues within the healthcare system. For instance, Mr. Edalat noticed that physicians prescribed high doses of opioids to his brother to manage the pain. However, the side effects of the ongoing chemotherapy treatment were also prominent, as there were no significant safety measures to prevent his brother from taking pain medications at a higher dose than prescribed. It all eventually led to his brother getting addicted to pain medications.
Seeing his brother struggle with opioid addiction and cancer simultaneously, Mr. Edalat realized there must be a better way to prescribe and dispense medication. It eventually led Mr. Edalat to form Vivera.
Vivera operates five distinct divisions: technologies, biosciences, advanced diagnostics, medical devices, and supplies.
Let’s take a more thorough look at the five divisions and what they have to offer:
is home to ZICOH, a patented, intelligent drug delivery solution for prescription medications, and MDZone, a HIPAA-compliant telemedicine portal that allows patients to access a healthcare professional remotely.
includes TABMELT, a novel, patented, and patent-pending sublingual drug delivery system. Vivera holds an exclusive license for its pharmaceutical use.
focuses on health and wellness testing. This division includes LabPort, a Lab Information Management System (LIMS) developed to streamline the testing and results reporting process for laboratories and patients.
includes prescription dermatology products.
Vivera Medical Supplies was created to support healthcare professionals throughout the pandemic. There was a shortage of PPE at the beginning of the pandemic, and the Company responded by offering in-stock disposable face masks 100% Made in the USA.
ZICOH: The Solution for Safe Drug Delivery
Vivera’s ZICOH system was developed and patented as a comprehensive Solution as a Service (SolaaS). It unites the ZICOH device and ZICOH Connect, two of the Company’s most popular and effective medical solutions. The ZICOH device is a patented, intelligent electronic medication delivery device, and ZICOH Connect is a truly innovative solution with significant AI capabilities, including synchronization through cloud-based software. Combined, they can collect and aggregate near real-time data to generate actionable insights. Combining the two technologies can potentially help healthcare providers reduce prescription drug misuse, improve patient adherence to prescription medication, and facilitate better oversight among prescription controls.
Vivera’s research and development initiatives focus on improving the patient’s healthcare experience. The Company’s innovative ZICOH device is designed to ensure patient adherence to medication through personalized patient treatment plans. Vivera collects feedback from users and patients to ensure that ZICOH continues to fulfill their needs efficiently and make it easier for patients to take their prescription medicine.
TABMELT is another innovative medical solution from Vivera. It is a novel, patented, and patent-pending drug delivery system that allows patients to take their medications by dissolving a tablet under the tongue. The unique drug delivery method has the potential for quicker and better absorption of medicines compared to oral ingestion. These factors can potentially lead to improved bioavailability and lower doses with fewer side effects. The system can also be helpful for patients who have difficulty swallowing oral medications.
Besides cultivating a solid patent portfolio, Vivera Pharmaceuticals has two additional local facilities equipped to handle wholesale, manufacturing, distribution, and laboratory services. The Company is proud of having the infrastructure to manage all ongoing projects while continuously developing new opportunities.
Vivera has a team of highly skilled researchers and highly talented developers with a combined experience in various aspects of the business, including science, technology, medicine, branding, and operations.
The team members are highly trained to identify opportunities that set Vivera apart from the rest and allow the Company to focus on safely and effectively delivering its products to the market. Mr. Edalat ensures that the Company meets all its goals and ultimately delivers on its promises.
Innovation at Vivera Pharmaceuticals begins with identifying real-world problems relating to patient care and a healthy society.
Vivera is building intelligent devices with advanced AI and engineering to make it more efficient and effective for patients to receive optimal healthcare services. The Company always puts patients first and develops its products around the patient’s comfort and convenience. ZICOH is a perfect example of Vivera’s passion for innovation, as it has the potential to end opioid addiction in its path.
Vivera’s top priority is getting its ZICOH drug delivery device approved and commercialized in the US and worldwide. The Company aims to continue its technology development efforts.
