BioDelivery Sciences Appoints Dr. Sarah DeRossett to Vice President of Clinical Research and Medical Affairs

RALEIGH, N.C., April 28, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc. (NASDAQ: BDSI) has appointed Sarah DeRossett, MD, PhD to the position of Vice President of Clinical Research and Medical Affairs.  Dr. DeRossett joins BDSI with nearly twenty-five years of clinical and pharmaceutical industry experience in the neurosciences area.  Dr. DeRossett will oversee clinical research activities for BDSI's products in development as well as the medical support for BDSI's currently marketed product, BUNAVAIL^® (buprenorphine and naloxone) buccal film.

Following more than 10 years as the Director of the Chronic Pain and Headache Clinic at Emory University School of Medicine and time in private practice, Dr. DeRossett joined GlaxoSmithKline in the neurosciences therapy area, where she was responsible for leading the clinical development of a number of compounds in a variety of areas including those for Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, restless leg syndrome and neuropathic pain.  Dr. DeRossett was listed in Best Doctors in America for six consecutive years when in clinical practice and has published numerous articles and book chapters in the areas of pain and neurosciences.  She received her medical degree from Emory University School of Medicine and a PhD in Neural and Behavioral Studies from the University of Kentucky.  Dr. DeRossett completed a post-doctoral fellowship in Pharmacology at Emory University School of Medicine and is board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. 

"Dr. DeRossett brings a tremendous amount of clinical and industry drug development experience to BDSI, with specific expertise in the neurosciences therapy area including pain, one of our principal areas of focus.  We are extremely fortunate to have her join our team," said Dr. Andrew Finn, Executive Vice President of Product Development at BDSI and to whom Dr. DeRossett will report.  "As we continue to build our portfolio of marketed and development products in the areas of pain and addiction treatment, we intend to draw heavily on Dr. DeRossett's insights and experience, which we believe will be highly additive to our efforts."

About BioDelivery Sciences International

BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc. (NASDAQ:BDSI) 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.  

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements

This press release and any statements of employees, representatives and partners of BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc. (the "Company") related thereto 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 actual performance of the new Company executive described herein) 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.

© 2015 BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc.  All rights reserved.

SOURCE BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc.

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