Salix and Altana join to promote antibiotic

Under the terms of the agreement, Altana Pharma US will use one of its sales forces with approximately 250 representatives to promote Xifaxan (rifaximin) tablets 200mg to the primary care physician market, which includes family practice, general practice and certain internal medicine physicians.

This Altana sales force currently promotes Protonix (pantoprazole) for the treatment of erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as part of a co-promotion agreement with Wyeth.

Commenting on the agreement, Carolyn Logan, president and CEO of Salix, stated, “This co-promotion will allow Salix to continue to focus its sales efforts on its primary target audience – gastroenterologists – while at the same time allowing Altana Pharma the opportunity to expand the Xifaxan market by generating exposure to its target audience – primary care physicians.”

Alan Birtchet, vice president of sales at Altana Pharma US, stated, “Altana Pharma is excited with the opportunity to co-promote Xifaxan. We are focused on growing our business by means of diversifying our product portfolio in selected therapeutic areas. This agreement should serve as an excellent opportunity for our primary care sales force to expand our current gastroenterology business.”

Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.