With a distinguished career spanning over 30 years in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries, Paul Edalat is a true visionary driven by his passion for transforming the healthcare industry to better serve patients and providers. As the Chairman, Founder, and CEO of Vivera, Mr. Edalat is on a mission to improve the lives and well-being of patients worldwide, concentrating on future-focused medicine and drug delivery to ensure equitable health opportunities for all.
The Journey from Fitness Entrepreneur to Healthcare Innovator
From a young age, Mr. Edalat was keenly interested in tennis, weightlifting, and overall health and wellness. Using his entrepreneurial skills and experiences, he significantly impacted the rapidly growing fitness and wellness industries.
However, when his brother Peter was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2004, Mr. Edalat’s priorities shifted. He witnessed firsthand the challenges and limitations of the healthcare system, particularly in terms of patient-centric care and access to safe treatment options.
Peter’s doctor prescribed him high doses of opioids to manage his chemotherapy-induced pain. He quickly built up a tolerance to his medication and, due to the lack of safety measures, began to exceed his prescribed dosage, ultimately developing an addiction.
It was heartbreaking for Mr. Edalat to witness his brother struggle with cancer and addiction. This experience led him to recognize the need for a more controlled approach to prescribing and dispensing medications, which motivated him to establish Vivera.
With Dr. Mehdi Hatamian, one of Mr. Edalat’s brilliant, long-time friends, he developed ZICOH, a patented smart drug delivery system for prescription medications.
ZICOH is designed to dispense precise medication doses while minimizing the risk of misuse. It works in conjunction with ZICOH Connect™, a cloud-based software system with robust data organization and AI capabilities that provide real-time prescribing data and actionable insights for medication adherence and compliance.
The groundbreaking technology, ZICOH, aims to provide patients with the right medication dose at the right time to ensure compliance and deter the consequences of potentially becoming addicted. Because medications are locked in ZICOH devices and only accessible by the patient, the system helps curb the potential for the diversion of prescription drugs.
Vivera’s Growing Portfolio
Mr. Edalat cofounded Vivera to develop non-addictive pain management solutions through its pharmaceuticals and medical device divisions. Over time, the Company has diversified into several divisions geared toward improving patient care.
Vivera Technologies and Vivera Medical Devices are dedicated to creating cutting-edge technology to revolutionize patient care. The core product line of Vivera Technologies is ZICOH.
Vivera BioSciences focuses on developing medications for various conditions using its patented TABMELT technology for sublingual drug delivery.
Vivera Neurosciences is dedicated to investigating and developing therapies for disorders of the central nervous system, such as psychiatric, neurological, and fluency disorders, to enhance the lives of patients and offer better options for healthcare professionals.
Vivera Advanced Diagnostics uses its Lab Information Management System (LIMS), LabPort, to deliver patients quick and reliable diagnostic and wellness test results.
The Company has become a multi-faceted business dedicated to improving patient care and meeting various medical demands.
Global Leadership in Patient-Centric Healthcare Solutions
Mr. Edalat envisions Vivera as a worldwide leader in delivering innovative, patient-centric healthcare solutions that are non-addictive. By focusing on advanced diagnostics, cutting-edge research and development, and the latest technologies, the Company strives to expand its product portfolio continually and enhance patient outcomes.
Establishing strategic partnerships with global partners is crucial to Vivera’s approach. Through these partnerships, the Company aims to collaborate on research, development, and distribution of its products and services. This will enable Vivera to expand its market reach and leverage its partners’ strengths to enhance its global presence.
Investing in research and development is also essential to Vivera’s strategy, as it helps the Company develop innovative products and services that address unmet medical needs worldwide. By staying at the forefront of scientific advancements, Vivera can continually expand its product portfolio and remain competitive globally.
To ensure its products can be distributed and used in various countries, Vivera is committed to meeting the regulatory requirements of each region. This involves collaborating with local regulatory authorities, understanding the nuances of different markets, and customizing its products and services to meet the needs of each region.
Continuous Growth, Networking, and Resilience
According to Mr. Edalat, as a business leader, it is crucial to prioritize continuous growth and development to remain effective and innovative in the ever-changing business landscape. Building and maintaining strong professional relationships is also vital for growth. Through networking, leaders can gain insights into different perspectives, learn from other leaders, and create valuable connections that can lead to new opportunities.
Mr. Edalat recognizes that adaptability is essential in today’s rapidly changing world. He strives to embrace change and views it as an opportunity for growth. He also believes that resilience is a critical quality that emerging leaders should master to cope effectively with challenges and navigate uncertainty. Bouncing back from setbacks and maintaining a positive attitude in the face of adversity is essential for long-term success.
By focusing on continuous growth, networking, and developing resilience, both established and emerging leaders can create a positive impact and drive success in their organizations.
Emphasizing in Patient-Centric Mission
When considering a new team member for Vivera, Mr. Edalat places a non-negotiable emphasis on the candidate’s belief in the Company’s patient-centric mission. In addition, the candidate must possess the necessary skills, industry knowledge, or experience that align with the position’s requirements.
However, Mr. Edalat values adaptability, a strong work ethic, and being a good team player, equally, if not more importantly. As change is inevitable in the healthcare industry, team members who can adapt to new situations, learn quickly, and embrace change positively are highly valued.
A strong work ethic demonstrates dedication, reliability, and a commitment to delivering high-quality work. These traits are essential in the healthcare industry, where precision and accuracy are crucial.
Vivera values teamwork and collaboration to provide the best outcomes for patients. A strong team player works well with others, is open to feedback, and supports colleagues.
Areas of Focus for Improving Society
When it comes to improving society, biotech, and patient lives, Mr. Edalat believes the answer lies in healthcare access, patient-centric care, and mental health awareness and support.
Improving access to quality healthcare is crucial, particularly for underserved communities. This can be achieved by creating innovative solutions and improving access to essential medical care.
The biotech and pharmaceutical industries must prioritize patient needs and experiences when developing and delivering treatments. By engaging with patients and incorporating their feedback into the design and execution of clinical research and product development, therapies can be tailored to their needs, resulting in better health outcomes and improved quality of life.
Lastly, mental health awareness and support are critical aspects of overall well-being that are often overlooked or stigmatized. Addressing mental health needs can contribute to happier, more productive, and more resilient communities. Vivera supports mental health by promoting open conversations about mental health, reducing stigma, and investing in research and developing effective treatments for various mental health conditions.
Transformative Impact of Technology on Biotech
Mr. Edalat has witnessed significant transformations in the biotech industry over the years, with technological advancements driving many of these changes. One notable example is the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), which have facilitated breakthroughs in drug discovery, predictive modeling, and data analysis. Connected digital health devices like ZICOH will ultimately incorporate AI to aggregate and organize actionable data for prescription medications.
The increasing prevalence of digital health technologies, such as wearable devices, remote patient monitoring systems, and telemedicine platforms, has also expanded the reach and accessibility of healthcare services. These innovations have improved patient outcomes and enabled more proactive, data-driven approaches to care.
Another significant development is the creation of advanced diagnostic and disease-monitoring tools, which have revolutionized our ability to detect and monitor diseases at an early stage. This has led to better treatment options and outcomes for patients.
These technological advancements have not only quickened the pace of research and development in the biotech industry but also have the potential to transform the way we approach healthcare challenges. As a result, the future of biotech promises to bring about innovative solutions and improved quality of life for people worldwide.
Transitioning from Athletics to Biotech
Mr. Edalat took a significant risk by entering the pharmaceutical industry to establish Vivera, despite coming from a background in athletics, fitness, branding and nutraceutical manufacturing. This move meant transitioning to a highly regulated and complex industry.
The motivation behind this decision was his brother’s battle with cancer and the shortcomings observed within the healthcare system. Despite facing challenges such as competition, regulatory hurdles, and the complexities of drug development, Edalat felt compelled to make a difference in patients’ lives.
Although taking this risk was both rewarding and challenging, it allowed Mr. Edalat to contribute to positive change in healthcare and work towards creating an industry that prioritizes individuals over profits. This journey has transformed Mr. Edalat into the leader he is today and reinforces Vivera’s commitment to improving patient care and quality of life.
Vision for Growth
Mr. Edalat has a vision for Vivera’s growth over the next five years, with a focus on improving patient experiences and potentially enhancing treatment outcomes by concentrating on drug delivery.
Vivera’s long-term mission involves going through the regulatory process for its products while collaborating closely with healthcare providers and patients to ensure that innovative solutions, such as TABMELT and ZICOH, incorporate the end-user journey and become readily available to every patient who needs them. Mr. Edalat has witnessed firsthand the challenges that patients face when taking medications and the ease with which some can become dependent on addictive prescriptions.
Through continued innovation and collaboration with healthcare providers, Vivera aims to revolutionize medication management and positively impact the lives of countless patients across the globe.
Written by Steve Sanchez.
