Vivus Names Seth Fischer CEO, Succeeding Anthony Zook - Quick Facts

(RTTNews) - Vivus Inc. (VVUS) announced Tuesday that Anthony Zook has resigned as Chief Executive Officer and from the company's Board of Directors, effective today, due to recurring issues associated with a previously-diagnosed medical condition.

In addition, the company said it has appointed Seth Fischer, a former senior executive at Johnson & Johnson, to serve as its Chief Executive Officer, effective today. Fischer will also join the company's Board of Directors.

Seth Fischer has three decades of healthcare experience in the pharmaceutical and medical device industry. Fischer served in positions of increasing responsibility with Johnson & Johnson until his retirement in 2012. Most recently, Fischer served as Company Group Chairman Johnson & Johnson and Worldwide Franchise Chairman, Cordis Corporation from 2008 to 2012, and as Company Group Chairman, North America Pharmaceuticals from 2004 to 2007, which included responsibilities for Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceuticals, Janssen and Scios.

Before that, Fischer served as President of Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceuticals from 2000 to 2004. He is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Trius Therapeutics, Inc. and BioSig Technologies, Inc, and an advisor to MedHab, LLC.