BioDelivery Sciences Announces Hiring of Stephana E. Patton as General Counsel

RALEIGH, N.C., June 8, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc. (NASDAQ: BDSI) announced today that Stephana E. Patton, Ph.D., J.D. has joined that company as Vice President & General Counsel.  In this capacity, Dr. Patton will be responsible for overseeing BDSI's legal, compliance and intellectual property activities and will report directly to Dr. Mark A. Sirgo, President and Chief Executive Officer.

Dr. Patton has nearly fifteen years of experience in both law and the pharmaceutical industry.  Most recently, she held the position of Vice President, Intellectual Property and Licensing for Salix Pharmaceuticals, where since 2007 she led intellectual property litigation strategy and pre-litigation activities for all Salix products.  Dr. Patton created and managed the global patent portfolio for Salix and oversaw the growth of a patent portfolio that includes over fifty-one patents listed in the Orange Book.  Additionally, she assisted in handling development and execution of in-licensing and out-licensing strategy and negotiation of all agreements and relationships, which led to the acquisition of at least 11 products and 2 companies, and ultimately, the acquisition of Salix by Valeant.

"The experience that Dr. Patton brings to the BDSI team provides the company with the expertise and knowledge that will be critical as we continue to grow as an organization," said Dr. Mark A. Sirgo, President and Chief Executive Officer.  "Dr. Patton was an integral part of the tremendous growth of Salix that ultimately led to the successful sale of that organization. We look forward to capitalizing on her experience and expertise, particularly in the areas of acquisitions, licensing and intellectual property, as we continue to grow as a fully integrated specialty pharmaceutical company."

Prior to joining Salix, Dr. Patton was in private practice for several years with a focus on intellectual property for biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies at varying stages of product development and company life cycle.

Dr. Patton earned a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree in law from the Boston University School of Law and a Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Cell and Developmental Biology from Emory University. 

About BioDelivery Sciences International

BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc. is a specialty pharmaceutical company with a focus in the areas of pain management and addiction medicine.  BDSI is utilizing its novel and proprietary BioErodible MucoAdhesive (BEMA^®) technology and other drug delivery technologies to develop and commercialize, either on its own or in partnership with third parties, new applications of proven therapies aimed at addressing important unmet medical needs.

BDSI's development strategy focuses on utilization of the FDA's 505(b)(2) approval process. This regulatory pathway creates the potential for more timely and efficient approval of new formulations of previously approved therapeutics.

BDSI's particular area of focus is the development and commercialization of products in the areas of pain management and addiction. These are areas where BDSI believes its drug delivery technologies and products can best be applied to address critical unmet medical needs.  BDSI's marketed products and those in development address serious and debilitating conditions such as breakthrough cancer pain, chronic pain, painful diabetic neuropathy and opioid dependence.

BDSI's headquarters is located in Raleigh, North Carolina.  

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Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements

This press release, the conference call described herein, and any statements of employees, representatives and partners of BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc. (the "Company") related thereto (including, without limitation, at the presentations described herein) contain, or may contain, among other things, certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Such forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties.  Such statements may include, without limitation, statements with respect to the Company's plans, objectives, projections, expectations and intentions and other statements identified by words such as "projects," "may," "will," "could," "would," "should," "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates," "intends," "plans," "potential" or similar expressions.  These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the Company's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including those detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Actual results (including, without limitation, the performance of the Company employee described herein and the results of related Company initiatives) may differ significantly from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.  These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that are subject to change based on various factors (many of which are beyond the Company's control).  The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future presentations or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

BDSI^®, BEMA^® and BUNAVAIL^® are registered trademarks of BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc.  The BioDelivery Sciences and BUNAVAIL logos are trademarks owned by BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc  All other trademarks and tradenames are owned by their respective owners.

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SOURCE BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc.

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