7 May 2019 - - US-based non-addictive pain management specialist Vivera Pharmaceuticals, Inc has appointed Stephen J. McColgan, M.D., MBA, as its chief medical officer, the company said.

McColgan was one of the first surgeons to perform laparoscopic cholecystectomy, laparoscopic nissen fundoplication, and laparoscopic gastric bypass in the Southern California area.

He was chairman of the Department of Surgery for Bellflower Medical Center for more than 10 years and was a founding member of Endodynamix, Inc., a manufacturer of surgical instruments.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were more than 63,600 overdose deaths in the United States in 2016.

In 2017, the number of drug overdose deaths climbed to more than 70,200 Americans, with approximately 68 percent involving an opioid.

Vivera Pharmaceuticals is a pharmaceutical company focused on opioid deterrence and cessation and non-addictive solutions for pain management.

In addition to its pharmaceutical and medical device products, the company has global exclusivity to license the patented and patent-pending TABMELT sublingual drug-delivery system for the pharmaceutical use of cannabinoid compounds.

Vivera Pharmaceuticals is seeking to conduct case studies and clinical trials on CBD in the TABMELT drug delivery format with the goal of gaining FDA approval for its products.

The company is vertically integrated with patented technology, manufacturing capabilities and distribution for its products.