Patients deserve safe prescription drug delivery. Spurred by personal tragedy, Paul Edalat, Chairman, Founder, and CEO of Vivera, is determined to make it a reality by addressing the critical gaps in current prescribing practices.
Several leading publications have already recognized Mr. Edalat for his notable achievements.
Forbes Council’s review committee selected him as a member based on the depth and diversity of his professional background in leadership, management, and growth.
Orange County Business Journal named him an honorable nominee in its Excellence in Entrepreneur Awards and Innovator of The Year Awards for his forward-thinking leadership approach. ‘
LA Times B2B Publishing listed him as a CEO Visionary for his notable contributions in the healthcare space.
It’s no secret why CIO Business World named him one of the Top 10 Most Inspirational Business Leaders to Watch in 2023.
Here’s his story.
Transforming Personal Tragedy into Opportunity
Mr. Edalat discovered his passion for health and wellness at a young age. His enthusiasm led him to the fitness and wellness sectors, where he had several successful businesses.
While his love for athletics and fitness never waned, a personal tragedy shifted his priorities.
In 2004, his younger brother was diagnosed with an aggressive form of Hodgkin’s lymphoma. For those unfamiliar, Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects a part of the immune system called the lymphatic system. As it progresses, it affects the body’s ability to fight an infection.
While supporting his brother throughout his cancer battle, he noticed numerous flaws within the healthcare system. One of the most glaring issues was the lack of safety protocols in prescribing practices.
Mr. Edalat’s brother was in much pain, mostly from chemotherapy. To help manage his pain, his doctor prescribed him high doses of opioids.
He built up a tolerance to the medication quickly. Without adequate safeguards, he could increase his dose at his discretion. It wasn’t long before he developed an addiction to his opioid medication.
For two years, Mr. Edalat watched his brother struggle with cancer and, later, addiction until he passed away.
This painful experience, combined with his background in health and wellness, ignited his determination to create Vivera, a company that prioritizes patients over profit.
Vivera’s core philosophy revolves around placing patients at the heart of all decisions. This patient-centric approach ensures their needs, experiences, and well-being are always the primary considerations, guiding the development of therapies that genuinely enhance their quality of life.
What it Means to Be a Healthcare Leader
According to Mr. Edalat, having a clear vision is non-negotiable to be an effective healthcare leader. Vision gives you clarity and guides your decisions, ensuring you move in the right direction.
Healthcare leaders should also be able to anticipate upcoming trends. This foresight allows leaders to position the organizations at the cutting edge of innovation, ensuring everyone is always a step ahead.
Adaptability is another crucial trait required for successful healthcare leaders. The healthcare sector is in constant flux, be it due to new regulations, the emergence of new diseases, or technological advancements. Mr. Edalat says, “As leaders, we must be agile, ready to modify our strategies and approaches at a moment’s notice to best serve our patients and organizations.”
Mr. Edalat claims that one of the most challenging aspects of leading in the healthcare domain is the myriad of obstacles that come along the way. From crisis management to deciphering intricate regulations, the hurdles can seem insurmountable. However, Mr. Edalat learned that resilience is paramount. Remaining composed and providing unwavering guidance, especially in adversity, separates good leaders from great ones.
How to Remain Competitive
Life is dynamic. Priorities change. Mr. Edalat regularly assesses the trajectory of Vivera. He recommends being decisive in your actions but remaining flexible and open to feedback.
Mr. Edalat understands the importance of building solid relationships to remain competitive. “Surround yourself with a competent team, seek mentorship, and always lead by example,” he advises. “Always act with integrity. Your vision and decisions should be rooted in ethical considerations and a genuine desire to serve and add value to your customers.”
3 Non-Negotiables for Building a World-Class Team
Building and managing a motivated and effective team is a multi-faceted process that requires leadership skills, clear communication, and a supportive work environment.
To build a successful team, Mr. Edalat advises the following:
- Have a clear vision and mission. Ensure every team member understands the company’s vision and mission. This provides a sense of purpose and direction.
- Hire the right people. Look for candidates who have the required skills and align with the company’s values and culture. Don’t forget to consider their ability to work in teams and adapt to change.
- Prioritize effective communication. Foster open communication channels where team members feel comfortable sharing ideas, concerns, and feedback. Regularly update the team on company news, changes, and milestones.
Honoring His Brother’s Legacy with Safer Drug Delivery
After his brother’s death, Mr. Edalat acknowledged the need for safer and more efficient methods of prescribing and dispensing medications.
He met with one of his brilliant long-time friends and colleagues, Mehdi Hatamian, Ph.D. Together, they invented ZICOH, a patented, high-tech, AI-powered smart prescription drug delivery device.
ZICOH dispenses precise medication doses only to the registered patient, leaving little room for misuse or diversion. The timing feature supports adherence by restricting access to off-schedule doses.
ZICOH integrates seamlessly with ZICOH Connect™, a synchronized, cloud-based software system with strong data organization and AI capabilities. They collect and aggregate real-time prescribing data and generate actionable insights to facilitate prescription medication adherence, oversight, and compliance.
Ultimately, the ZICOH medication delivery system aims to provide the targeted release of medications and may offer a solution to better control medications with a high propensity for misuse.
Mr. Edalat has seen first-hand how difficult taking medications can be for patients who are sick and how easy it is to become dependent on addictive prescriptions.
ZICOH may help prevent addictive drugs from getting into the wrong hands and ensure patients do not suffer the harms of addiction while at their most vulnerable.
What’s Next in the Pipeline?
ZICOH isn’t the only product in Vivera’s arsenal. The Company also plans to bring TABMELT to the market. This patented and patent-pending sublingual drug delivery system allows patients to take medication by dissolving a tablet under the tongue.
This delivery route may lead to more instantaneous and accurate absorption than oral drug delivery.
Patients deserve top-quality care, and Mr. Edalat wants to ensure it is accessible to everyone. His goal is to improve how patients take medications and make them safer.
Mr. Edalat’s long-term mission is to work with providers to get ZICOH in every patient’s hands.
