The new patent provides protection relating to rifaximin for treating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) caused by small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.
Salix has an exclusive license to this patent from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center to make, have made, use, sell and have sold and import licensed products related to the use of rifaximin, which it markets in the US under the trade name Xifaxan. Salix currently is assessing the use of rifaximin in the treatment of IBS.
Carolyn Logan, president and CEO of Salix, said: “We are pleased with the issuance of this additional intellectual property protection for rifaximin in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. We view patent protection as an essential component of our product life cycle management strategy to protect the products in our portfolio.”