Bausch Health's Xifaxan is a strong therapy for irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea, but Seeking Alpha columnist Jose Solorio said the drugmaker is missing its chance to own the IBS therapies market.
Here's what you should know:
1. Xifaxan currently accounts for about 50 percent of all IBS-D prescriptions.
2. Although Bausch's immense debt limits its purchasing power, Mr. Solorio argued Bausch should take the risk and partner with Synergy Pharmaceuticals for access to Trulance, its drug for treating irritable bowel syndrome with constipation.
3. Bausch's GI segment, Salix Pharmaceuticals, remains a growth driver for the company. While Bausch's Ortho Dermatologics segment shrunk in the third quarter, Salix posted 3 percent organic growth.
4. For Bausch to continue growingorganically, the company needs to partner with Synergy to acquire 50 percent of the rights to Trulance, the columnist said. He said, "[Bausch] would own the two most important assets on IBS, and Trulance could achieve blockbuster status along Xifaxan."