BioDelivery Sciences Announces Hiring of David Acheson as Vice President of Sales and Managed Markets

RALEIGH, N.C., Dec. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc. (Nasdaq: BDSI) announced the hiring of David Acheson as Vice President of Sales and Managed Markets. 

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110217/CL49801LOGO)

David joins BDSI with over 18 years of pharmaceutical and biotech sales and commercial experience.  David will oversee the sales and managed markets support behind the anticipated launch of BUNAVAIL in 2014 as well as both current and future commercial partnerships.

David's most recent relevant experience was leading the strategy and full build out and deployment of the sales organization for Pacira Pharmaceuticals Inc., an emerging specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the clinical and commercial development of products in the post-surgical pain market, where he played an instrumental role in the successful introduction of Exparel in 2012.  Most recently, David was with CSL Behring as the National Director of Sales, Immunology and Pulmonary for two specialty teams focused in rare and orphan diseases. 

"We are extremely fortunate to have someone with David's talent and energy join our management team during this exciting and evolutionary phase of our company as we progress from a research and development focused company to a broader commercial entity," said Dr. Mark A. Sirgo, President and Chief Executive Officer of BDSI.  "The timing of David's hiring is significant as we finalize our commercial plans for BUNAVAIL over the next several months.  In parallel with our partnering discussions, we are making the appropriate plans to also launch BUNAVAIL.  Regardless of which pathway we ultimately determine provides the best opportunity for the long term success of BUNAVAIL and BDSI's other products, David will oversee the sales and managed markets effort."

David's pharmaceutical and biotech career began with Roche Pharmaceuticals where he worked as a Sales Representative, Medical Center Representative and Division Sales Manager.  After five years in the hospital and oncology supportive care arena at Roche, David joined MedPointe/Meda Pharmaceuticals working his way through multiple areas of responsibility in sales as a District Sales Manager, Regional Sales Director and National Sales Director in the respiratory business.  Also at Meda, David served as the National Sales Director, Pain and Supportive Care Team, and was responsible for building a full pain and oncology supportive care division of the company from scratch, deploying a full sales team as well as operational needs within the company.  David has experience in a number of complex markets such as pain, palliative care, immunotherapy and orphan disease state products, many of which afforded him a great deal of involvement in the equally complex managed markets settings, developing and executing payer strategies as well as partnerships at the distribution and channel level.  David has worked in collaborative partnerships and has significant experience working with contract sales organizations.

About BioDelivery Sciences International
BioDelivery Sciences International (NASDAQ: BDSI) is a specialty pharmaceutical company that is leveraging its novel and proprietary patented drug delivery technologies to develop and commercialize, either on its own or in partnerships with third parties, new applications of proven therapeutics.  BDSI is focusing on developing products to meet unmet patient needs in the areas of pain management and addiction. 

BDSI's pain franchise consists of three products, two of which utilize the patented BioErodible MucoAdhesive (BEMA) drug delivery technology.  ONSOLIS (fentanyl buccal soluble film) is approved in the U.S., Canada, E.U. (where it is marketed as BREAKYL) and Taiwan (where it is marketed as PAINKYL), for the management of breakthrough pain in opioid tolerant, adult patients with cancer.  The commercial rights are licensed to Meda for all territories worldwide except for Taiwan (licensed to TTY Biopharm) and South Korea (licensed to Kunwha Pharmaceutical Co.). 

BEMA Buprenorphine is in Phase 3 clinical trials for the treatment of moderate to severe chronic pain and is licensed on a worldwide basis to Endo.  Clonidine Topical Gel for the treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy is entering Phase 3 development.

An NDA for BUNAVAIL, a BEMA formulation of buprenorphine used in combination with naloxone, is currently under review for the maintenance treatment of opioid dependence and has a PDUFA date of June 7, 2014.

BDSI's headquarters is located in Raleigh, North Carolina.  For more information visit www.bdsi.com.

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements
This press release, the presentation referred to herein, and any statements of 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 and those that relate to the Company's ability to leverage the expertise of employees and partners to assist the Company in the execution of its strategy.  Actual results (including, without limitation, the performance of the executive and the Company's commercial plans as 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 events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. 

BDSI® and BEMA® are registered trademarks of BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc.  The BioDelivery Sciences logo and BUNAVAIL™ are trademarks owned by BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc.  ONSOLIS® is a registered trademark of Meda Pharmaceuticals, Inc.  BREAKYL™ is a trademark owned by Meda Pharma GmbH & Co. KG.  PAINKYLTM is a trademark owned by TTY Biopharm.  All other trademarks and tradenames are owned by their respective owners.

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