Category: The 10 Most Prominent Business Leaders to Follow in 2023_Profile

In the world of healthcare, the opioid crisis looms large and adequate patient-centered solutions remain a crucial yet unmet need. Amid the challenge, Vivera has emerged with direct solutions. Cofounded by Paul Edalat in 2018, Vivera was born out of personal tragedy and a mission to put patients first while revolutionizing the healthcare system.

With a focus on safer drug delivery, Vivera is dedicated to improving the healthcare industry for patients, providers, and other stakeholders in the medication supply chain. From their patented smart drug delivery solution and technology, ZICOH, to advancements in prescription medications in the Company’s prescription drug delivery system, TABMELT, Vivera’s ambitious approach has the potential to transform the healthcare landscape for the better.

The Inspiration Behind Vivera

Since his teenage years, the Chairman, Founder, and CEO of Vivera, Mr. Edalat, has had a strong passion for health and wellness. He used his interests and entrepreneurial skills for decades to make a difference in the fast-growing fitness and wellness sectors. However, his priorities shifted when his brother Peter was diagnosed with cancer.

During his brother’s treatment, Mr. Edalat observed the challenges and constraints within the healthcare system, particularly pertaining to how medications were prescribed and administered. His brother was prescribed high doses of opioids to alleviate pain and other side effects from chemotherapy. There weren’t safety measures in place to prevent him from exceeding his prescribed dose. Therefore, as his tolerance to his medication increased, so did his dosage.

As a result, he developed an addiction to his medication before losing his battle with cancer.

“My brother’s passing made me determined to change the healthcare industry in his honor. Since then, I have focused my efforts on creating safer medication delivery systems and putting patients before profits,” said Mr. Edalat.

Shortly after losing his brother, Mr. Edalat sat down with his good friend and now, Vivera’s Chief Scientific Advisor, Mehdi Hatamian, Ph.D. Together, they invented ZICOH, a patented, dose-controlled, smart drug delivery device for prescription medications.

Vivera at a Glance

In the beginning, Vivera set out to create non-addictive pain management solutions through its pharmaceutical and medical device divisions. The Company has grown into several divisions to improve patient care and meet various medical demands.

Vivera Technologies and Vivera Medical Devices are dedicated to creating cutting-edge technology to revolutionize patient care. ZICOH, one of the Company’s flagship products, dispenses precise medication doses and integrates seamlessly with ZICOH Connect^TM, a cloud-based software system that uses artificial intelligence to produce actionable insights for medication adherence, oversight, and compliance.

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.

Overcoming the Hurdles Along the Way

As Vivera paves the way toward patient-centric care, it faces many obstacles. Although the healthcare sector is adapting, there are several entry hurdles and, of course, opposition to change in any industry.

Mr. Edalat disclosed, “We confront various challenges as we develop, create, and market our products in addition to the everyday challenges that come with running a business. I maintain focus by tuning out external distractions and concentrating on our patients and pipeline end goals.”

Prioritizing a Strong Team and Culture

The Company houses a team of dedicated professionals with the right mix of skills and expertise, which is critical for success. A positive work atmosphere, open communication, and team development are essential.

Vivera fosters an inclusive culture that encourages open communication and the exchange of diverse ideas. For creativity and success to occur, diversity and inclusion are essential. The executive team has always acknowledged this and incorporated it into the corporate culture.

“Our team reflects our dedication to diversity and inclusion. We make an effort to hire team members with a variety of experiences, skill sets, and backgrounds. This strategy not only brings new ideas to the table but also aids in our ability to comprehend and better serve the demands of our wide range of patients,” stated Mr. Edalat.

Looking Towards the Future

The Vivera team is enthusiastic about the Company’s sustained growth and potential influence in bettering the healthcare sector. Their primary focus remains on providing top-quality care and making it accessible to patients worldwide.

They plan to improve patient experiences and perhaps even treatment outcomes by concentrating on drug delivery. Their long-term goal entails working with healthcare professionals to ensure cutting-edge products like TABMELT and ZICOH are accessible to every patient who needs them.

Mr. Edalat is adamant about coming up with solutions that prioritize safety and well-being. He has seen the risks associated with prescription medications, especially those with a higher propensity for misuse. The prevalent problem of addiction impacts individuals, families, and entire communities.

Vivera’s pioneering technology, ZICOH, was invented with the goal of reducing prescription medication addiction. Additionally, ZICOH can potentially prevent prescription medications from reaching the wrong hands.

Words of Wisdom

Mr. Edalat claims that having a mentor is crucial for aspiring entrepreneurs. He is grateful for the mentors that he has had throughout his career and always says that “finding someone who has already achieved your goal and can teach you the ins and outs of the industry is invaluable.”

“Seek a good mentor. This person can provide guidance, support, and valuable insights to help you navigate the challenges of starting a business. A mentor can also help you avoid common mistakes, provide practical advice, and give you a fresh perspective on your ideas,” advised Mr. Edalat.

With a passionate team and an unwavering commitment to patient safety and well-being, Vivera is positioned to make a significant impact on the healthcare industry in the years to come. As the Company continues to develop groundbreaking solutions like TABMELT and ZICOH, its aim is to ensure that every patient can access safe and effective treatments and a better quality of life.

“For aspiring entrepreneurs, mentorship and dedication to one’s vision are key ingredients for success,” said Mr. Edalat.

Vivera’s patient-centric journey serves as a powerful testament to the potential of innovation, diversity, and perseverance to bring about transformative change in the world.

Here is the inspiring journey of John Miniotis, the President and CEO of AbraSilver Resource Corp. With his extensive experience of over 18 years in the mining industry, he is now spearheading AbraSilver into an industry-leading exploration company and aiming to continue to take the company to new heights. Mr. Miniotis’ background has primarily focused on mergers & acquisitions, equity capital markets, investor relations and corporate finance, and he has worked in a wide variety of companies in the mining industry including Lundin Mining, AuRico Metals, Aethon Minerals and Barrick Gold. Mr. Miniotis holds the title of Certified Financial Analyst and graduated with honours from the University of Toronto with a degree in business administration.

Achievements & Accomplishments Along the Way

With his extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, Mr. Miniotis became CEO of AbraSilver in December 2019 through the merger of Aethon Minerals. The merger was an excellent opportunity to create a company focused on a world-class silver and gold project with excellent exploration upside potential. Since the merger, AbraSilver has established a proven track record of consistently delivering drill results that are among the best in the industry, which has allowed the company to experience rapid growth.

Prior to Aethon Minerals, he was the vice president of corporate development at AuRico Metals where Mr. Miniotis was instrumental in the company’s acquisition by Centerra Gold which purchased AuRico in January 2018 for $310 million in cash.

Mr. Miniotis also played a crucial part in Lundin Mining’s execution of many acquisitions totalling more than $2 billion, which helped the business grow in an accretive manner. The driven leader is constantly searching for fresh possibilities to generate value and increase shareholder value.

AbraSilver in a Glance

AbraSilver is an advanced-stage exploration company focused on rapidly advancing its 100%-owned Diablillos silver-gold project in the mining-friendly Salta province of Argentina. The business is run by a seasoned management team, and Mr. Eric Sprott is one of its long-standing, devoted stockholders. The silver-gold project hosts Measured and Indicated resources of 109 million ounces of silver and 1.3 million ounces of gold, with significant further upside potential based on recent exploration success. The company also holds a portfolio of copper-gold properties, including the La Coipita copper-gold project, which is an earlier-stage exploration company. The company is publicly traded, under the ticker “ABRA” on the TSX-Venture and “ABBRF” in the United States.

John’s Unique Definition of Success

Mr. Miniotis recognizes that success can mean many different things to different people, but for him, success can be defined as the act of turning a vision into reality, by means of perseverance and in spite of failure.

A Piece of Advice by John Miniotis to Aspiring Entrepreneurs

“Never give up! If you are passionate about realizing your dream or entrepreneurial vision, then it’s just a matter of time, hard work, and —most importantly—resiliency before that vision becomes reality.”

The Future Outlook

AbraSilver’s objective is to see the Diablillos project develop into a top-tier producing silver-gold mine over the course of the next five years. The stockholders, the local communities, and the provincial and federal governments of Argentina will all greatly gain from this. The company will also keep looking for new opportunities to expand its business in nations with favourable mining laws.

Before signing off, Mr. Miniotis reflected on the lessons learned from his experiences in the business world:

“Life has taught me that success is not always linear, therefore learn from your failures and re-calibrate your approach. It also does not occur in a vacuum – surround yourself with the right people and most importantly, don’t forget to enjoy the journey!”