Raleigh-based Salix Pharmaceuticals, which focuses on gastrointestinal treatments, is adding another product to its lineup. Salix (Nasdaq: SLXP) is committing $12 million plus royalties to RedHill Biopharma (Nasdaq: RDHL) for a bowel prep drug. The deal, which was announced early Thursday, calls for Salix to pay an upfront fee of $7 million and $5 million in milestone payments plus royalties. In return, Salix gains worldwide rights to RHB-106, an encapsulated bowl prep. Salix recently filed a New Drug Application with the FDA for a rectal inflammation drug and closed on a $2.6 billion acquisition of "Salix is pleased to enter this strategic collaboration with RedHill and to secure what we believe could be the first prescription encapsulated bowel prep product," said Carolyn Logan, chief executive officer at Salix. "Many patients find the taste and palatability of current bowel prep products to be unacceptable.