Valeant in talks to buy Salix Pharma - Bloomberg

Feb 3 (Reuters) - Canadian drugmaker Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc is in talks to buy Salix Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Bloomberg reported, citing people with knowledge of the matter.

British drugmaker Shire Plc (Xetra: S7E.DE - news) is also interested in Salix, the report said, citing sources. (http://bloom.bg/1Da0N5B)

The U.S. drugmaker, which had a market capitalization of $8.52 billion as of Monday's close, said last week it would restate its financial results for the past seven quarters due to inventory problems that led to a management change.

Salix was not immediately available for comment. A Valeant spokeswoman said the company does not comment on market rumors.

Salix has hired investment bank Centerview Partners Holdings LP to explore options, including a sale to a larger drugmaker, Reuters reported last month.

Salix's shares were up 4 percent at $138.77 Tuesday afternoon on the Nasdaq. The stock has gained nearly 30 percent since Dec (Shanghai: 600875.SS - news) . 16, when the company detailed plans to clear up inventory.

U.S.-listed shares of Valeant were down about 3 percent at $157.43 on the New York Stock Exchange. (Reporting by Vidya L Nathan and Natalie Grover in Bengaluru, Rod Nickel in Winnipeg; Editing by Saumyadeb Chakrabarty)