Santarus' treatment for travelers' diarrhea meets late stage trial goal

Santarus Inc said its experimental treatment for travelers' diarrhea met the main goal in a late stage trial, sending the company's shares up 4 percent after the bell.

The company said the drug, Rifamycin, met the primary endpoint of reducing the time to last unformed stool in patients with travelers' diarrhea - a common intestinal infection.

Rifamycin's U.S. development and marketing rights were acquired by Santarus from Cosmo Technologies Limited in 2008.

Santarus said the drug, covered by two U.S. patents that expire in 2020 and 2025, was generally well tolerated in the study.

About 10 million people develop diarrhea primarily caused by bacteria every year, the company said citing the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Shares of San Diego, California-based Santarus were up at $8.14 in extended trading. They closed at $7.80 on the Nasdaq on Tuesday.

Traveler's diarrhea is a stomach and intestinal infection that occurs as a result of unsanitary handling of food. Food handlers who do not wash their hands after they use the bathroom can transmit the infection to people who consume the contaminated food.

Areas where there is the highest risk of contracting traveler's diarrhea include the developing countries of Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. The risk of infection varies depending on the type of eating establishment visited - from fairly low risk in private homes to high risk in food from street vendors.

The most common culprit is a bacteria called E.coli.

What Are the Symptoms of Traveler's Diarrhea?

The typical symptoms of traveler's diarrhea include:

- Abrupt onset of diarrhea
- Nausea and vomiting
- Bloating
- Urgent need to have a bowel movement
- Malaise (weakness or discomfort)
- Explosive and painful gas
- Cramps
- Loss of appetite

Traveler's diarrhea usually lasts from 3 to 7 days and is rarely life threatening.

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(Reuters)