Cipla licenses rights for antibiotic to US-based Salix Pharma

Drug major Cipla on Thursday granted a license to US-based Salix Pharmaceuticals giving exclusive rights for certain patent applications of its 'Rifaximin Complexes', which are currently under drug development stage.

"Under the agreement, Cipla has granted Salix exclusive rights under certain patent applications in the 'Rifaximin Complexes' patent family controlled by Cipla," the company said in a statement.

Generally, Rifaximin is used as an antibiotic.

The grant is on a worldwide basis, excluding the countries of Asia (other than Japan) and Africa, it added.

Commenting on the development, Cipla USA and Canada CEO Timothy Crew said, "We are delighted to be partnering with Salix Pharmaceuticals and to expand on our existing license to Salix to introduce rights to the 'Rifaximin Complexes' patent applications."

Cipla will be entitled to a an up-front payment and, upon achievement, additional regulatory milestone payments by Salix in respect of the new license agreement, the drug major said without sharing details.

"Salix also will pay a royalty on net sales of products covered by the 'Rifaximin Complexes' patents licensed to Salix," it added.

"This deal signifies our ongoing commitment to provide access to innovative treatments to patients worldwide," Cipla MD & Global CEO Subhanu Saxena said.

In 2013 the company had announced the expansion of its existing collaboration with Meda by granting global commercialisation rights for a proprietary combination nasal spray product (fluticasone and azelastine) Dymista, Cipla said.