Salix Pharmaceuticals Ltd has acquired exclusive US rights to Anusol-HC 2.5% (hydrocortisone Cream USP), Anusol-HC 25 mg Suppository (Hydrocortisone Acetate), Proctocort Cream (Hydrocortisone Cream USP) 1% and Proctocort Suppositories (Hydrocortisone Acetate Rectal Suppositories, 30 mg) from King Pharmaceuticals, Inc, said a release.

The two cream products are topical corticosteroids indicated for relief of the inflammatory and pruritic (itching) manifestations of corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses. The two suppository products are indicated for use in inflamed hemorrhoids and postirradiation proctitis, as well as an adjunct in the treatment of chronic ulcerative colitis and other inflammatory conditions.

Salix paid $13 million cash for the four products. The Company entered into a supply agreement for the suppository products and the Anusol cream product with King Pharmaceuticals and an alternate supply arrangement with a contract manufacturer is being put in place for the Proctocort cream product.

"We believe Anusol-HC and Proctocort can serve an important role in helping gastroenterologists and other physicians provide effective treatment of inflammatory and pruritic conditions," stated Ellen Marth McKim, Salix vice president, Marketing. He added, "Salix has the opportunity to grow the sales of these products based upon several key attributes, including the flexibility provided by the multiple dosage forms and strengths of the four products, and the fact that these products represent the only branded product line available in a suppository formulation for internal use supplemented by a cream formulation for external use."

Carolyn Logan, Salix president and CEO commented, "Our market research indicates that our gastroenterologist-focused efforts and attention should enable us to grow the sales of these products. The acquisition of these products once again speaks to our commitment to gastroenterologists and their patients and positions us to capitalize on the synergy created by our expanding portfolio of related products."

Salix Pharmaceuticals Ltd, headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina, develops and markets prescription pharmaceutical products for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases.