Salix Pharmaceuticals Ltd announced that aaiPharma has granted Salix the exclusive right to sell Azasan (azathioprine tablets) 25/75/100 mg in North America. The agreement calls for Salix to make an up-front payment to aaiPharma as well as on-going royalty on net sales, and for aaiPharma to supply Salix with the products.

"Salix, with its acquisition of Azasan, again is demonstrating its commitment to provide gastroenterologists with the products they require to meet the needs of their patients," commented Dr. Stephen Hanauer, professor of medicine and clinical pharmacology and director of the gastroenterology and nutrition section, University of Chicago Medical Center. "

Azathioprine, the active ingredient in Azasan, is a potent immunosuppressive antimetabolite. The availability of azathioprine in multiple dosage strengths should provide physicians with greater flexibility and improved options in the treatment of patients of all ages."

Commenting on the acquisition, Carolyn Logan, president and CEO, Salix Pharmaceuticals, stated, "We are extremely pleased that this acquisition allows us to provide aaiPharma's innovative dosage forms of azathioprine to gastroenterologists and their patients. We plan to begin training our sales representatives immediately and anticipate launching Azasan before the end of December. I am pleased also to announce that aaiPharma has granted Salix a right of first discussion with respect to certain other future aaiPharma gastrointestinal disease products that it out-licenses."