Anthony Zook has resigned as chief executive of biopharmaceutical company Vivus Inc. due to recurring health issues, just weeks after he had been appointed to the role.
The board appointed former Johnson & Johnson Group Chairman Seth Fischer to take over the role, effective Tuesday.
Mr. Zook, a former AstraZeneca PLC executive, became CEO of Vivus in July after a proxy battle with First Manhattan Co. and Sarissa Capital Management LP that began over disappointment in the company's sales of its obesity drug, Qsymia.
"This has been a difficult decision," Mr. Zook said Tuesday. "Unfortunately, I cannot devote the necessary time and focus to the company, but instead must concentrate on personal health issues."
Vivus said Mr. Fischer had three decades of experience in the pharmaceutical and medical-device industries, including in senior roles at Johnson & Johnson, from which he retired in 2012.
Vivus last month said its second-quarter loss widened to $55.5 million largely due to increased costs related to selling and marketing Qsymia.
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