Salix says IBS drug candidate met goal in study

Salix Pharmaceuticals Ltd. said Monday its drug candidate rifaximin met its goals in a midstage clinical trial, improving quality of life for patients with irritable bowel syndrome.

Patients who were given rifaximin reported a significantly greater improvement on a quality of life scale than those who were treated with only a placebo.

In morning trading, Salix shares climbed $1.30, or 22.9 percent, to $6.98, shrugging off steep declines in the broader market.

In the trial, patients were given either 1100 milligrams of rifaximin per day or a placebo for two weeks. All patients then received a placebo for two more weeks. The patients who took the drug reported higher overall quality of life scores on a survey, including decreased restlessness, health and social worries and better body image.

Results were presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology.