Cipla, Salix Pharma sign patent out-licensing deal

Mumbai-based Cipla has signed an agreement with American company Salix Pharmaceuticals, under which Cipla has granted Salix exclusive rights over certain patent applications in the 'Rifaximin Complexes' patents owned by Cipla.

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

Salix will make an up-front payment and, upon achievement, additional regulatory milestone payments and royalties to Cipla in respect of the new license agreement, stated the release.

Subhanu Saxena, MD & Global CEO, Cipla Limited said, "As we look to go-live with our own front end presence in North America, we are happy that through this association we can demonstrate to the wider industry that we are open to global partnerships for the development and commercialization of complex products."

On Thursday, Cipla shares closed at Rs 620.25, up by 1.72% on BSE.

Last year, Cipla 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.

Two days ago, Cipla had reached an in-licensing agreement with Gilead Sciences Inc for selling copycat of hepatitis C drug Sovaldi.