VIVUS Inc. announced the appointment of J. Martin Carroll and Jorge Plutzky, M.D. to its Board of Directors. Carroll has more than 35 years of executive level experience in the pharmaceutical industry. He served most recently in key roles at Boehringer Ingelheim (BI) including Head, Global Strategy and Development and President and Chief Executive Officer, U.S. from 2003 through 2011. Plutzky is a world-renowned leader in the prevention and treatment of cardiometabolic disease. He currently serves as the Director of The Vascular Disease Prevention Program, which includes the Lipid/Prevention Clinic, in the Cardiovascular Medicine Division at Brigham and Women's Hospital, a role he has held since 1996.

VIVUS Inc. announced unaudited consolidated earnings results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2013. For the quarter, the company reported net product revenue of $4,112,000. Loss from operations was $53,797,000 against $18,772,000 a year ago. Loss from continuing operations before income taxes was $53,762,000 against $18,755,000 a year ago. Loss from continuing operations was $53,768,000 against $18,762,000 a year ago. Net loss was $53,576,000 against $18,778,000 a year ago. Basic and diluted net loss per share was $0.53 against $0.20 a year ago. The increased net loss in the first quarter of 2013, as compared to the first quarter of 2012, is primarily attributable to increased selling, general and administrative expenses of $32.2 million related to commercialization activities for Qsymia.

VIVUS Inc. announced that Richard Fante, former president U.S., CEO North America and regional vice president Americas at AstraZeneca, has agreed to provide advisory services to the company. In this role, Mr. Fante will advise the company regarding commercial options to access the primary care market and maximize the value of Qsymia (phentermine and topiramate extended-release) capsules CIV. In 1995, Mr. Fante joined AstraZeneca, where he rose through the commercial ranks and was promoted to various senior management roles within the organization, culminating in his appointment as president of the U.S. business in 2008 and CEO for North America in 2009. In 2011, he assumed responsibility for Central and South America.