Profile: Salix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (SLXP.O)

Salix Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. is a specialty pharmaceutical company focuses on acquiring, developing and commercializing prescription drugs used in the treatment of a range of gastrointestinal diseases, which are those affecting the digestive tract. As of December 31, 2008, the Company’s products were XIFAXAN (rifaximin) Tablets 200 milligram; MOVIPREP; OSMOPREP, VISICOL Tablets, AZASAN Azathioprine Tablets, USP, 75/100 milligram; ANUSOL-HC 2.5% (Hydrocortisone Cream, USP), ANUSOL-HC 25 milligram Suppository (Hydrocortisone Acetate); PROCTOCORT Cream (Hydrocortisone Cream, USP) 1% and PROCTOCORT Suppository (Hydrocortisone Acetate Rectal Suppositories) 30 milligram; PEPCID (famotidine) for Oral Suspension; Oral Suspension DIURIL (Chlorothiazide); APRISO (mesalamine) extended-release capsules 0.375 grams, and COLAZAL (balsalazide disodium) Capsules 750 milligram.

Xifaxan (rifaximin) tablets

Xifaxan is a gastrointestinal-specific oral antibiotic that the United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved for the treatment of patients 12 years of age and older with travelers’ diarrhea caused by non-invasive strains of E coli. believe Xifaxan is an oral antibiotic with its potential lack of systemic absorption and safety profile.

MoviPrep (PEG 3350, sodium sulfate, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium ascorbate and ascorbic acid) oral solution

MoviPrep is a liquid polyethylene glycol-salt (PEG) bowel cleansing product that was approved by the FDA in August 2006. MoviPrep is differentiated from other marketed, liquid PEG bowel cleansing products by the inclusion of ascorbic acid in its formulation. MoviPrep is indicated for bowel cleansing prior to colonoscopy, intestinal surgery and barium enema X-ray examinations.

Visicol and OsmoPrep (sodium phosphate monobasic monohydrate, USP, sodium phosphate dibasic anhydrous, USP) tablets

Visicol tablets are indicated for cleansing of the colon as a preparation for colonoscopy in adults 18 years of age or older. OsmoPrep is a second-generation tablet bowel cleansing product. OsmoPrep tablets are indicated for cleansing of the colon as a preparation for colonoscopy in adults 18 years of age or older.

Azasan (azathioprine) tablets

Salix acquired from aaiPharma LLC the exclusive right to sell 25, 75 and 100 milligram dosage strengths of azathioprine tablets in North America under the brand name Azasan. Azasan is an FDA-approved drug that suppresses immune system responses and is indicated for preventing rejection of kidney transplants and treatment of severe arthritis.