UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

o

Rule 13d-1(b)

x

Rule 13d-1(c)

o

Rule 13d-1(d)

CUSIP No. 928551100

13G

1

Name of Reporting Person
Van Herk Investments B.V.

2

Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions)

(a)

o

(b)

o

3

SEC Use Only

4

Citizenship or Place of Organization:
The Netherlands

Number of
Shares
Beneficially
Owned by
Each
Reporting
Person With

5

Sole Voting Power
0

6

Shared Voting Power
0

7

Sole Dispositive Power
0

8

Shared Dispositive Power
0

9

Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person:
0

10

Check Box if the Aggregate Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions)  o

11

Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9):
0%

12

Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)
CO

CUSIP No. 928551100

13G

1

Name of Reporting Person
Van Herk Private Equity Investments B.V.

2

Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions)

(a)

o

(b)

o

3

SEC Use Only

4

Citizenship or Place of Organization:
The Netherlands

Number of
Shares
Beneficially
Owned by
Each
Reporting
Person With

5

Sole Voting Power
0

6

Shared Voting Power
0

7

Sole Dispositive Power
0

8

Shared Dispositive Power
0

9

Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person:
0

10

Check Box if the Aggregate Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions)  o

11

Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9):
0%

12

Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)
CO

CUSIP No. 928551100

13G

1

Name of Reporting Person
Stichting Administratiekantoor Penulata

2

Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions)

(a)

o

(b)

o

3

SEC Use Only

4

Citizenship or Place of Organization:
The Netherlands

Number of
Shares
Beneficially
Owned by
Each
Reporting
Person With

5

Sole Voting Power
0

6

Shared Voting Power
0

7

Sole Dispositive Power
0

8

Shared Dispositive Power
0

9

Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person:
0

10

Check Box if the Aggregate Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions)  o

11

Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9):
0%

12

Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)
OO

CUSIP No. 928551100

13G

1

Name of Reporting Person
Van Herk Management Services B.V.

2

Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions)

(a)

o

(b)

o

3

SEC Use Only

4

Citizenship or Place of Organization:
The Netherlands

Number of
Shares
Beneficially
Owned by
Each
Reporting
Person With

5

Sole Voting Power
0

6

Shared Voting Power
0

7

Sole Dispositive Power
0

8

Shared Dispositive Power
0

9

Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person:
0

10

Check Box if the Aggregate Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions)  o

11

Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9):
0%

12

Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)
CO

CUSIP No. 928551100

13G

1

Name of Reporting Person
Onroerend Goed Beheer- en Beleggingsmaatschappij A. van Herk B.V.

2

Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions)

(a)

o

(b)

o

3

SEC Use Only

4

Citizenship or Place of Organization:
The Netherlands

Number of
Shares
Beneficially
Owned by
Each
Reporting
Person With

5

Sole Voting Power
0

6

Shared Voting Power
0

7

Sole Dispositive Power
0

8

Shared Dispositive Power
0

9

Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person:
0

10

Check Box if the Aggregate Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions)  o

11

Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9):
0%

12

Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)
CO

CUSIP No. 928551100

13G

1

Name of Reporting Person
A. van Herk Holding B.V.

2

Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions)

(a)

o

(b)

o

3

SEC Use Only

4

Citizenship or Place of Organization:
The Netherlands

Number of
Shares
Beneficially
Owned by
Each
Reporting
Person With

5

Sole Voting Power
0

6

Shared Voting Power
0

7

Sole Dispositive Power
0

8

Shared Dispositive Power
0

9

Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person:
0

10

Check Box if the Aggregate Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions)  o

11

Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9):
0%

12

Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)
CO

CUSIP No. 928551100

13G

1

Name of Reporting Person
Stichting Administratiekantoor Abchrys

2

Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions)

(a)

o

(b)

o

3

SEC Use Only

4

Citizenship or Place of Organization:
The Netherlands

Number of
Shares
Beneficially
Owned by
Each
Reporting
Person With

5

Sole Voting Power
0

6

Shared Voting Power
0

7

Sole Dispositive Power
0

8

Shared Dispositive Power
0

9

Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person:
0

10

Check Box if the Aggregate Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions)  o

11

Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9):
0%

12

Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)
OO

CUSIP No. 928551100

13G

1

Name of Reporting Person
Adrianus van Herk

2

Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions)

(a)

o

(b)

o

3

SEC Use Only

4

Citizenship or Place of Organization:
The Netherlands

Number of
Shares
Beneficially
Owned by
Each
Reporting
Person With

5

Sole Voting Power
1,335,621

6

Shared Voting Power
0

7

Sole Dispositive Power
1,335,621

8

Shared Dispositive Power
0

9

Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person:
1,335,621

10

Check Box if the Aggregate Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions)  o

11

Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9):
1.3%

12

Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)
IN

CUSIP No. 928551100

13G

Item 1.

(a)

Name of Issuer:
Vivus, Inc., a Delaware corporation

(b)

Address of Issuer’s Principal Executive Offices:
900 E. Hamilton Avenue, Suite 550

Campbell, CA 95008

Item 2.

(a)

Names of Persons Filing:

This statement is being filed by (i) Van Herk Investments B.V., a private company with limited liability incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands (“VHI”), (ii) Van Herk Private Equity Investments B.V., a private company with limited liability incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands (“VHPI”), (iii) Stichting Administratiekantoor Penulata, a foundation organized under the laws of the Netherlands (“Penulata”), (iv) Van Herk Management Services B.V., a private company with limited liability incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands (“VHMS”), (v) Onroerend Goed Beheer- en Beleggingsmaatschappij A. van Herk B.V., a private company with limited liability incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands (“OGBBA”), (vi) A. van Herk Holding B.V., a private company with limited liability incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands (“Holdings”), (vii) Stichting Administratiekantoor Abchrys, a foundation organized under the laws of the Netherlands (“Abchrys”), and (viii) Adrianus van Herk (“Mr. van Herk”).

Mr. van Herk is (i) an investor, (ii) the holder of all of the depositary receipts issued by Penulata and Abchrys, (iii) the sole board member of Penulata and Abchrys, and (iii) the sole managing director of VHMS, OGBBA and Holdings.  Penulata holds substantially all of the issued and outstanding shares of VHPI.  VHPI is the sole shareholder of VHI. VHI is principally engaged in making investments.  Abchrys holds substantially all of the issued and outstanding shares of Holdings.  Holdings is the sole shareholder of OGBBA. OGBBA is the sole shareholder of VHMS and is principally engaged in making investments.  VHMS is the sole managing director of VHI and VHPI.

Each of VHI, VHPI, Penulata, VHMS, OGBBA, Holdings and Abchrys disclaims beneficial ownership of the securities covered by this statement.

This statement is being filed to report that the Reporting Persons have ceased to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the Common Stock (as defined below).

(b)

Address of Principal Business Office or, if none, Residence:

The principal business address of each of Mr. van Herk, VHI, VHPI, Penulata, VHMS, OGBBA, Holdings and Abchrys is:

Lichtenauerlaan 30

3062 ME Rotterdam

The Netherlands

(c)

Citizenship:
Each of VHI, VHPI, VHMS, OGBBA and Holdings is a private company with limited liability incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands.  Penulata and Abchrys are Netherlands foundations.  Mr. van Herk is a citizen of the Netherlands.

(d)

Title of Class of Securities:
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”).

(e)

CUSIP Number:
928551100

CUSIP No. 928551100

13G

Item 3.

If this statement is filed pursuant to Rules 13d-1(b), or 13d-2(b) or (c), check whether the person filing is a:

o

Broker or dealer registered under section 15 of the Act;

o

Bank as defined in section 3(a)(6) of the Act;

o

Insurance company as defined in section 3(a)(19) of the Act;

o

Investment company registered under section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940;

o

An investment adviser in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E);

o

An employee benefit plan or endowment fund in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(F);

o

A parent holding company or control person in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G);

o

A savings associations as defined in Section 3(b) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813);

o

A church plan that is excluded from the definition of an investment company under section 3(c)(14) of the Investment Company Act of 1940;

o

A non-U.S. institution in accordance with Rule 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J);

o

Group, in accordance with Rule 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(K). If filing as a non-U.S. institution in accordance with

Rule 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J), please specify the type of institution:____________________________

Item 4.

Ownership

(a)

Amount beneficially owned:   

1,335,621

(b)

Percent of class:   

1.3%  (The percentages used in this statement are calculated based upon the 105,953,444  shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding as of October 31, 2017, as reported by Vivus, Inc. in its Form 10-Q filed on November 7, 2017 with the Securities and Exchange Commission.)

(c)

Number of shares as to which such person has:

VHI

i.

Sole power to vote or direct the vote:   

0

ii.

Shared power to vote or direct the vote:    

0

iii.

Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition of:   

0

iv.

Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition of:   

0

VHPI

i.

Sole power to vote or direct the vote:   

0

ii.

Shared power to vote or direct the vote:    

0

iii.

Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition of:   

0

iv.

Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition of:   

0

CUSIP No. 928551100

13G

Penulata

i.

Sole power to vote or direct the vote:   

0

ii.

Shared power to vote or direct the vote:    

0

iii.

Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition of:   

0

iv.

Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition of:   

0

VHMS

i.

Sole power to vote or direct the vote:   

0

ii.

Shared power to vote or direct the vote:    

0

iii.

Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition of:   

0

iv.

Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition of:   

0

OGBBA

i.

Sole power to vote or direct the vote:   

0

ii.

Shared power to vote or direct the vote:    

0

iii.

Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition of:   

0

iv.

Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition of:   

0

Holdings

i.

Sole power to vote or direct the vote:   

0

ii.

Shared power to vote or direct the vote:    

0

iii.

Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition of:   

0

iv.

Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition of:   

0

Abchrys

i.

Sole power to vote or direct the vote:   

0

ii.

Shared power to vote or direct the vote:    

0

iii.

Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition of:   

0

iv.

Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition of:   

0

Mr. van Herk

i.

Sole power to vote or direct the vote:   

1,335,621

ii.

Shared power to vote or direct the vote:    

0

iii.

Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition of:   

1,335,621

iv.

Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition of:   

0

CUSIP No. 928551100

13G

Item 5.

Ownership Five Percent or Less of a Class

If this statement is being filed to report the fact that as of the date hereof the reporting person has ceased to be the beneficial owner of more than 5 percent of the class of securities, check the following  x.

Item 6.

Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person

Not Applicable.

Item 7.

Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the Security Being Reported on By the Parent Holding Company or Control Person

Not Applicable.

Item 8.

Identification and Classification of Members of the Group

Not Applicable.

Item 9.

Notice of Dissolution of Group

Not Applicable.

Item 10.

Certification

By signing below we certify that, to the best of our knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect, other than activities solely in connection with a nomination under § 240.14a-11.

CUSIP No. 928551100

13G

VAN HERK INVESTMENTS B.V.

By:

/s/ Adrianus van Herk

Name: Adrianus van Herk

Title: Authorized Person

VAN HERK PRIVATE EQUITY INVESTMENTS B.V.

By:

/s/ Adrianus van Herk

Name: Adrianus van Herk

Title: Authorized Person

STICHTING ADMINISTRATIEKANTOOR PENULATA

By:

/s/ Adrianus van Herk

Name: Adrianus van Herk

Title: Authorized Person

VAN HERK MANAGEMENT SERVICES B.V.

By:

/s/ Adrianus van Herk

Name: Adrianus van Herk

Title: Authorized Person

ONROEREND GOED BEHEER- EN

BELEGGINGSMAATSCHAPPIJ A. VAN HERK B.V.

By:

/s/ Adrianus van Herk

Name: Adrianus van Herk

Title: Authorized Person

A. VAN HERK HOLDING B.V.

By:

/s/ Adrianus van Herk

Name: Adrianus van Herk

Title: Authorized Person

CUSIP No. 928551100

13G

STICHTING ADMINISTRATIEKANTOOR ABCHRYS

By:

/s/ Adrianus van Herk

Name: Adrianus van Herk

Title: Authorized Person

/s/ Adrianus van Herk

ADRIANUS VAN HERK

CUSIP No. 928551100

13G

Exhibit
Number

Title

99.1

Joint Filing Agreement, dated February 14, 2018, by and among the Reporting Persons, as required by Rule 13d-1(k)(1) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

CUSIP No. 928551100

13G

CUSIP No. 928551100

13G

VAN HERK INVESTMENTS B.V.

By:

/s/ Adrianus van Herk

Name: Adrianus van Herk

Title: Authorized Person

VAN HERK PRIVATE EQUITY INVESTMENTS B.V.

By:

/s/ Adrianus van Herk

Name: Adrianus van Herk

Title: Authorized Person

STICHTING ADMINISTRATIEKANTOOR PENULATA

By:

/s/ Adrianus van Herk

Name: Adrianus van Herk

Title: Authorized Person

VAN HERK MANAGEMENT SERVICES B.V.

By:

/s/ Adrianus van Herk

Name: Adrianus van Herk

Title: Authorized Person

ONROEREND GOED BEHEER- EN

BELEGGINGSMAATSCHAPPIJ A. VAN HERK B.V.

By:

/s/ Adrianus van Herk

Name: Adrianus van Herk

Title: Authorized Person

A. VAN HERK HOLDING B.V.

By:

/s/ Adrianus van Herk

Name: Adrianus van Herk

Title: Authorized Person

CUSIP No. 928551100

13G

STICHTING ADMINISTRATIEKANTOOR ABCHRYS

By:

/s/ Adrianus van Herk

Name: Adrianus van Herk

Title: Authorized Person

/s/ Adrianus van Herk

ADRIANUS VAN HERK