ORLANDO, FL--(Marketwire - October 07, 2008) - Salix Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. (NASDAQ: SLXP) today announced that 1.5 g mesalamine granules once-daily maintained remission versus placebo in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients who switched from another 5-ASA product (78 percent of relapse-free subjects vs. 59 percent [P < 0.001]). These patients also had a greater probability of remaining relapse free after six months compared to placebo (77 percent vs. 50 percent [P < 0.001] cumulative relapse-free probability). Mesalamine granules are being studied as a 5-ASA with both a delayed and extended release system that delivers mesalamine directly to the colon with minimal systemic exposure and convenient once-daily dosing. These data were presented today at the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) 2008 Annual Scientific Meeting in Orlando, Florida.
