Cipla licenses rights to Salix

Drugmaker Cipla has granted Salix Pharmaceuticals exclusive rights under certain patent applications in the ‘Rifaximin complexes’ family, used as antibiotics. The grant is on a worldwide basis, excluding the countries of Asia (other than Japan) and Africa, a Cipla note said. Salix will make an upfront payment and milestone payments to Cipla, under the new licence agreement regarding ‘Rifaximin Complexes’ patent rights. Salix also will pay a royalty on net sales of products covered by the licensed patents.