BioDelivery Sciences Hires Joseph M. Lockhart as Vice President of Manufacturing and Supply Chain

RALEIGH, N.C., Dec. 3, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc. (NASDAQ: BDSI) appointed Joseph (Jody) M. Lockhart as Vice President of Manufacturing and Supply Chain.  In this role, Mr. Lockhart will be responsible for overseeing all manufacturing-related activities for both BDSI's currently approved products, including the currently marketed product BUNAVAIL^® (buprenorphine and naloxone) buccal film as well as ONSOLIS (fentanyl buccal soluble film), which was reacquired from Meda Pharmaceuticals earlier this year.  Mr. Lockhart will also be responsible for scale up and manufacturing activities for BDSI's development pipeline.  Mr. Lockhart will report to Dr. Mark A. Sirgo, President and Chief Executive Officer. 

Mr. Lockhart joins BDSI with nearly 30 years of pharmaceutical development and manufacturing experience.  Most recently, Mr. Lockhart held the position of Vice President, Pharmaceutical Development and Manufacturing for Salix Pharmaceuticals where he established the pharmaceutical development and manufacturing team and contributed to the submission of 11 NDA's and FDA approvals, 16 product acquisitions, and the commercialization of 20 products.   

"As we continue to evolve as a fully integrated specialty pharmaceutical company, our ability to manage and control our manufacturing and supply chain has become critical," said Dr. Mark A. Sirgo, President and Chief Executive Officer of BDSI.  "Jody brings to BDSI a wealth of experience in this area, including the past 14 years overseeing this function for Salix.  We look forward to the leadership and significant expertise that Jody brings to BDSI as we continue to grow as an organization."

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.  

BDSI markets BUNAVAIL^® (buprenorphine and naloxone) buccal film (CIII) and ONSOLIS® (fentanyl buccal soluble film) (CII).  BELBUCA™ (buprenorphine) buccal film (CIII) will be commercialized in the U.S. by Endo Pharmaceuticals pursuant to the worldwide licensing and development agreement between BDSI and Endo.   For full prescribing information and important safety information on BDSI products, including BOXED WARNINGS for ONSOLIS and BELBUCA, please visit www.bdsi.com where the Company promptly posts press releases, SEC filings and other important information or contact the Company at (800) 469-0261.

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements

This press release, the presentation described herein, and any statements of employees, representatives and partners of BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc. (the "Company") related thereto (including, without limitation, at the presentation 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 new Company officer 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.

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