Salix Pharmaceuticals Acquires U.S. Right to Lupin's Proprietary Bioadhesive Technology for Extended Release Rifaximin Product
Salix and Lupin to Collaborate in the Development and Commercialization of an Extended Release Rifaximin Product
RALEIGH, NC, October 5, 2009 – Salix Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. (NASDAQ:SLXP) today announced
that as of September 30, 2009 Lupin Ltd. granted Salix the
exclusive right in the United States to its bioadhesive drug delivery technology for use with rifaximin. Salix and Lupin have entered into a development,
commercialization and license agreement under which the two companies will collaborate in the development and commercialization of a product
incorporating rifaximin and utilizing Lupin's proprietary technology. In connection with this agreement, Salix and Lupin have entered into an exclusive
agreement in the United States for supply of rifaximin active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). Salix is required to make a $5 million up–front
payment and regulatory milestone payments to Lupin, with the majority contingent upon achievement of clinical development and U.S. regulatory
milestones. In addition, Salix will pay royalties on net sales of the bioadhesive rifaximin product.
Carolyn Logan, President and CEO, Salix, commented, "We are pleased to enter into this strategic collaboration with Lupin. This collaboration to develop
and commercialize an extended release formulation of rifaximin is a significant advancement in rifaximin's lifecycle management strategy. With this
collaboration Salix embarks on the development of our next generation rifaximin product incorporating Lupin's proprietary drug delivery platform
with our proprietary gut–targeted antibiotic. We believe this novel delivery approach, which combines controlled–release as well as slowed
gastrointestinal transit of rifaximin, might prove to provide a number of clinical advantages including patient compliance and patient convenience.
The acquisition of these rights to Lupin's proprietary bioadhesive drug delivery technology should serve to further protect this important Company
asset."
Nilesh Gupta, Group President and Executive Director, Lupin, stated, "We are pleased to enter into this collaboration with Salix. We believe our proprietary
bioadhesive drug delivery technology, which combines controlled-release as well as slowed gastrointestinal transit, could provide an extended
release formulation of rifaximin that will be an important component of Salix's lifecycle management strategy for rifaximin. This formulation,
coupled with Salix's commercialization capabilities, gives us the opportunity to jointly bring a potentially great product to the marketplace. We
also believe that this alliance further validates Lupin's increasing capabilities as a drug delivery provider. "
About XIFAXAN® (rifaximin)
Rifaximin is a gut-selective antibiotic with negligible systemic absorption (<0.4%) and broad–spectrum activity in vitro against both gram–positive
and gram–negative pathogens. Rifaximin has a similar tolerability profile to that of placebo. XIFAXAN revenue for 2008 was approximately
$80 million.
Rifaximin tablets 200 mg, which Salix markets in the United States under the trade name XIFAXAN® (rifaximin) tablets 200 mg, currently is
approved for the treatment of patients, 12 years of age or older, with travelers' diarrhea (TD) caused by non–invasive strains of Escherichia
coli. XIFAXAN (rifaximin) is a gut–selective antibiotic with negligible systemic absorption (<0.4%) and broad–spectrum activity
in vitro against both gram–positive and gram–negative pathogens. Rifaximin has a similar tolerability profile to that of placebo and has
activity against the most common TD pathogens. XIFAXAN should not be used in patients with diarrhea complicated by fever or blood in the stool or diarrhea due to pathogens other than Escherichia coli. XIFAXAN should be discontinued if diarrhea symptoms get worse or persist more than 24–48
hours and alternative antibiotic therapy should be considered. In clinical trials, XIFAXAN was generally well tolerated. The most common side
effects (vs. placebo) were flatulence 11.3% (versus 19.7%), headache 9.7% (versus 9.2%), abdominal pain 7.2% (versus 10.1 %) and rectal tenesmus 7.2%
(versus 8.8%).
Rifaximin has been used in Italy for 24 years and is approved in 33 countries. Salix acquired rights to market rifaximin in North America from Alfa Wassermann
S.p.A. in Bologna, Italy. Alfa Wassermann markets rifaximin in Italy under the trade name Normix®.
About Salix Pharmaceuticals
Salix Pharmaceuticals, Ltd., headquartered in Raleigh, NC, develops and markets prescription pharmaceutical products for the treatment of gastrointestinal
diseases. Salix's strategy is to in–license late–stage or marketed proprietary therapeutic drugs, complete with any required development
and regulatory submission of these products, and market them through the Company's gastroenterology specialty sales and marketing team.
About Lupin
Headquartered in Mumbai, India, Lupin Limited is an innovation led transnational pharmaceutical company producing a wide range of quality, affordable generic
and branded formulations and APIs for the developed and developing markets of the world. The Company today has significant market share in key
markets in the Cardiovasculars (prils and statins), Diabetology, Asthma, Pediatrics, CNS, GI, Anti–Infectives and NSAIDs therapy segments, not
to mention global leadership positions in the Anti–TB and Cephalosporins. The Company's R&D endeavors have resulted in significant progress
in its NCE program. The Company's foray into Advanced Drug Delivery Systems has resulted in the development of platform technologies that are being
used to develop value–added drugs and generic pharmaceuticals.
Lupin's Drugs and products reach over 70 countries in the world. Today, Lupin has the unique distinction of being the fastest growing top 10 Generics players
in the two largest pharmaceutical markets of the world – The U.S (ranked 9th by prescriptions & growing at 92 %) and Japan (ranked 7th and growing at 23%). The company is also the fastest growing, top 5 pharmaceutical players in India (ORG IMS – March 2009) and the fastest growing
Generic player in South Africa (ranked 6th and growing at over 30 % YoY – IMS)
Additional Salix Information
Salix also markets OSMOPREP® (sodium phosphate monobasic monohydrate, USP and sodium phosphate dibasic anhydrous, USP) Tablets, MOVIPREP®
(PEG 3350, Sodium Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Sodium Ascorbate and Ascorbic Acid for Oral Solution), VISICOL®
(sodium phosphate monobasic monohydrate, USP, and sodium phosphate dibasic anhydrous, USP) Tablets, APRISO™ (mesalamine)
extended–release capsules 0.375 g., METOZOLVTM ODT (metoclopramide HCl), PEPCID® (famotidine) for Oral Suspension, Oral Suspension
DIURIL® (Chlorothiazide), AZASAN® Azathioprine Tablets, USP, 75/100 mg, ANUSOL–HC® 2.5% (Hydrocortisone
Cream, USP), ANUSOL–HC® 25 mg Suppository (Hydrocortisone Acetate), PROCTOCORT® Cream (Hydrocortisone
Cream, USP) 1% and PROCTOCORT® Suppository (Hydrocortisone Acetate Rectal Suppositories) 30 mg. Crofelemer, budesonide foam and rifaximin for additional indications are under development.
For full prescribing information on Salix products, please visit www.salix.com or
contact the Company at 919–862–1000.
Salix trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the ticker symbol "SLXP".
For more information please visit our web site at www.salix.com or contact the Company at 919–862–1000. Information on our web site is not incorporated
in our SEC filings.
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APRISO™ is a locally-acting aminosalicylate indicated for the maintenance of remission of ulcerative colitis in patients 18 years and older.
APRISO is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to salicylates, aminosalicylates, or to any of the components of APRISO capsules.
The recommended dose of APRISO is four 0.375 g capsules once daily in the morning (1.5 g/day) with or without food. Because dissolution of the coating of APRISO
granules depends on pH, APRISO should not be coadministered with antacids. Patients with phenylketonuria should be aware that APRISO contains aspartame,
equivalent to 0.56 mg of phenylalanine. In two well-controlled clinical trials, the most common treatment-related adverse events occurring in at least 3%
of adult patients taking 1.5 g/day of APRISO were headache (11% vs. 8% for placebo), diarrhea (8% vs. 7% for placebo), upper abdominal pain (5% vs 3% for placebo),
nausea (4% vs 3% for placebo), nasopharyngitis (4% vs 3% for placebo), influenza and influenza-like illness (4% vs 4% for placebo) and sinusitis (3% vs 3% for placebo).
For complete Prescribing Information, please click here.
MOVIPREP® (PEG-3350, sodium sulfate, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium ascorbate and ascorbic acid for oral solution) is indicated for cleansing of the
colon as a preparation for colonoscopy in adults 18 years of age or older. MOVIPREP is contraindicated in patients who have had a severe hypersensitivity reaction
to any of its components. MOVIPREP should be used with caution in patients using concomitant medications that increase the risk of electrolyte abnormalities, in patients with known or suspected hyponatremia,
severe ulcerative colitis, ileus, gastrointestinal obstruction or perforation, gastric retention, toxic colitis, toxic megacolon, or glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. In clinical trials, abdominal
distention, anal discomfort, thirst, nausea, and abdominal pain were the most common adverse reactions to MOVIPREP administration. MOVIPREP contains a maximum of 2.33 mg of phenylalanine per treatment.
Consult with your physician to see if this product is right for you.
For complete Prescribing Information, please click here.
Important Safety Information about OSMOPREP
There have been rare, but serious reports of acute phosphate nephropathy in patients who received oral sodium phosphate products for colon cleansing prior
to colonoscopy. Some cases have resulted in permanent impairment of renal function and some patients required long–term dialysis. While some
cases have occurred in patients without identifiable risk factors, patients at increased risk of acute phosphate nephropathy may include those with
increased age, hypovolemia, increased bowel transit time (such as bowel obstruction), active colitis, or baseline kidney disease, and those using
medicines that affect renal perfusion or function (such as diuretics, angiotensin converting enzyme [ACE] inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers
[ARBs], and possibly nonsteroidal anti–inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs]).
It is important to use the dose and dosing regimen as recommended (PM/AM split dose).
OSMOPREP® (sodium phosphate monobasic monohydrate, USP, and sodium phosphate dibasic anhydrous, USP) Tablets are indicated for cleansing
of the colon as a preparation for colonoscopy in adults 18 years of age or older. Considerable caution should be advised before OSMOPREP is used in
patients with severe renal insufficiency, congestive heart failure, ascites, unstable angina, gastric retention, ileus, severe chronic constipation,
bowel perforation, toxic megacolon, gastric bypass or stapling surgery, or hypomotility syndrome. Use with caution in patients with impaired renal
function, patients with a history of seizures or at higher risk of seizure, patients with higher risk of cardiac arrhythmias, known or suspected electrolyte
disturbances (such as dehydration), or people taking drugs that affect electrolyte levels. Patients with electrolyte abnormalities such as
hypernatremia, hyperphosphatemia, hypokalemia, or hypocalcemia should have their electrolytes corrected before treatment with OSMOPREP.
OSMOPREP is contraindicated in patients with a known allergy or hypersensitivity to sodium phosphate salts or any of its ingredients, and in patients with
biopsy–proven acute phosphate nephropathy. In clinical trials, the most commonly reported adverse reactions (reporting frequency >3%) were
abdominal bloating, nausea, abdominal pain, and vomiting. It is recommended that patients receiving OSMOPREP be advised to adequately hydrate before,
during, and after the use of OsmoPrep.
For complete Prescribing Information for OSMOPREP including BOXED WARNING, please click here.
Important Safety Information about XIFAXAN 550 mg
XIFAXAN® 550 mg is indicated for reduction in risk of overt hepatic encephalopathy (HE) recurrence in patients ≥18 years of age. In the trials of XIFAXAN for HE, 91% of the patients were using lactulose concomitantly. XIFAXAN has not been studied in patients with MELD scores >25, and only 8.6% of patients in the controlled trial had MELD scores over 19. There is increased systemic exposure in patients with more severe hepatic dysfunction. Therefore, caution should be exercised when administering XIFAXAN to patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh C).
XIFAXAN is contraindicated in patients with a hypersensitivity to rifaximin, any of the rifamycin antimicrobial agents, or any of the components in XIFAXAN. Hypersensitivity reactions have included exfoliative dermatitis, angioneurotic edema, and anaphylaxis.
Clostridium difficile–associated diarrhea (CDAD) has been reported with use of nearly all antibacterial agents, including XIFAXAN, and may range in severity from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis. Treatment with antibacterial agents alters the normal flora of the colon which may lead to overgrowth of C difficile. If CDAD is suspected or confirmed, ongoing antibiotic use not directed against C difficile may need to be discontinued.
The most common adverse reactions occurring in >8% of patients in the clinical study were edema peripheral (15%), nausea (14%), dizziness (13%), fatigue (12%), ascites (11%), muscle spasms (9%), pruritus (9%), and abdominal pain (9%).
For complete Prescribing Information, please click here.
Important Safety Information about METOZOLV ODT
Treatment with metoclopramide can cause tardive dyskinesia, a serious movement disorder that is often irreversible.
The risk of developing tardive dyskinesia increases with the duration of treatment and the total cumulative dose.
Metoclopramide therapy should be discontinued in patients who develop signs or symptoms of tardive dyskinesia.
There is no known treatment for tardive dyskinesia. In some patients, symptoms may lessen or resolve after metoclopramide treatment is stopped.
Treatment with metoclopramide for longer than 12 weeks should be avoided in all but rare cases where therapeutic benefit is thought to outweigh the risk of developing tardive dyskinesia.
METOZOLV® ODT
(metoclopramide HCl) is indicated as short-term (4 to 12 weeks) therapy for adults with symptomatic, documented gastroesophageal
reflux disease (GERD) who fail to respond to conventional therapy and for the relief of symptoms associated with acute and
recurrent diabetic gastroparesis (diabetic gastric stasis) in adults. Therapy should not exceed 12 weeks in duration. Take on
an empty stomach up to four times daily, at least 30 minutes before eating and at bedtime.
METOZOLV ODT is contraindicated in patients with intestinal obstruction, hemorrhage, or perforation; pheochromocytoma;
known sensitivity or intolerance to metoclopramide; epilepsy; or are receiving concomitant medications with extrapyramidal reactions.
Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), manifested primarily as acute dystonic reactions, occur in approximately 1 in 500 patients treated with the
usual adult dosages of 30 to 40 mg/day of metoclopramide. These usually are seen during the first 24 to 48 hours of treatment with metoclopramide,
occur more frequently in pediatric patients and adult patients less than 30 years of age and are even more frequent at higher doses.
Drug-induced Parkinsonism can occur during metoclopramide therapy, more commonly within the first 6 months after beginning treatment,
but also after longer periods. Patients with a history of Parkinson’s disease should be given metoclopramide cautiously, if at all,
since such patients can experience exacerbation of Parkinsonian symptoms when taking metoclopramide.
There have been rare reports of an uncommon but potentially fatal symptom complex sometimes referred to as Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) associated
with metoclopramide. Clinical manifestations of NMS include hyperthermia, muscle rigidity, altered consciousness, and evidence of autonomic instability.
The management of NMS should include immediate discontinuation of metoclopramide and other drugs not essential to concurrent therapy.
Depression associated with metoclopramide use has occurred in patients with and without a history of depression.
For those patients with a prior history of depression, metoclopramide should only be given if the expected benefits outweigh the potential risks.
In one study in hypertensive patients, intravenously administered metoclopramide was shown to release catecholamines; hence, caution should be exercised
when metoclopramide is used in patients with hypertension. Any rapid rise in blood pressure associated with METOZOLV ODT use should result in immediate
cessation of metoclopramide use in those patients.
Since metoclopramide produces a transient increase in plasma aldosterone, patients with cirrhosis or congestive heart failure may be at risk of developing
fluid retention and volume overload. If these side effects occur at any time in any patients during metoclopramide therapy, the drug should be discontinued.
Adverse reactions, especially those involving the nervous system, may occur after stopping the use of METOZOLV ODT.
In clinical studies, the most frequently reported adverse events (≥2% occurrence) were headache, nausea, fatigue, somnolence, and vomiting.
Full Prescribing Information for METOZOLV ODT, including BOXED WARNING.