8-K

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) January 10, 2005

SALIX PHARMACEUTICALS, LTD.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

000-23265	94-3267443
(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer ID Number)

8540 Colonnade Center Drive, Suite 501, Raleigh, North Carolina 27615

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (919) 862-1000

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers.

On January 10, 2005, Salix Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. issued a press release announcing that William P. Forbes, Pharm. D. had joined the Company as Vice President, Research and Development and Chief Development Officer. A copy of this press release is attached as an exhibit.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(c) Exhibits

Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	Press release dated January 10, 2005.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

	SALIX PHARMACEUTICALS, LTD.
Date: January 10, 2005
	/s/ Adam C. Derbyshire
	Adam C. Derbyshire
	Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:	Adam C. Derbyshire	Mike Freeman
	Senior Vice President and	Executive Director, Investor Relations and
	Chief Financial Officer	Corporate Communications
	919-862-1000	919-862-1000

SALIX PHARMACEUTICALS ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF WILLIAM P. FORBES, PHARM. D. AS VICE PRESIDENT, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AND CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

RALEIGH, NC, January 10, 2005 - Salix Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. (Nasdaq:SLXP) today announced that William P. Forbes, Pharm. D. has joined the Company as Vice President, Research and Development and Chief Development Officer.

Dr. Forbes brings to the Company a broad base of knowledge and experience in the areas of clinical development, regulatory affairs and project management gained over a 15-year career in the pharmaceutical industry. Dr. Forbes most recently served as Vice President, Clinical Development and Regulatory Affairs at Metabasis Therapeutics, Inc., and prior to that he served in a number of positions and leadership capacities at Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. and Glaxo, Inc.

Carolyn Logan, President and Chief Executive Officer, Salix, stated, “We are extremely pleased to have Dr. Forbes join Salix to direct the Company’s research and development efforts. Bill has a proven record of success in developing and managing highly effective product development teams and progressing products through all phases of clinical development and regulatory milestones including approval. We look forward to the many benefits Salix should realize from Bill’s leadership and contributions in directing, planning and executing initiatives during 2005 and beyond. Our 2005 development programs are primarily designed to support additional uses of XIFAXAN^™, develop granulated mesalamine for the maintenance of remission of ulcerative

colitis, and to progress life cycle management programs for COLAZAL^® and XIFAXAN. Our senior management team expects to have a very busy, highly productive 2005, and we look forward to Bill joining our team and becoming a key contributor to our efforts.”

Commenting on his appointment, Dr. Forbes stated, “I am honored to become a part of the Salix team and look forward to building on the Company’s accomplishments. Salix has established some very exciting product development goals. I believe these goals can be achieved through effective and efficient development, and I look forward to being part of that success.”

Salix Pharmaceuticals, Ltd., headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina, develops and markets prescription pharmaceutical products for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. Salix’s strategy is to in-license late-stage or marketed proprietary therapeutic drugs, complete any required development and regulatory submission of these products, and market them through the Company’s 100-member gastroenterology specialty sales and marketing team. Salix markets COLAZAL^®, XIFAXAN^™, AZASAN^®, ANUSOL-HC^® and PROCTOCORT^®. A granulated mesalamine product also is under development. Salix trades on the Nasdaq National Market under the ticker symbol “SLXP”.

Please Note: This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding future events. These statements are just predictions and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual events or results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include market acceptance for products, our reliance on our first few products including specifically COLAZAL and XIFAXAN, intellectual property risks, management of rapid growth, and the need to acquire additional products. The reader is referred to the documents that the Company files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.