BioDelivery Sciences Appoints Thomas Smith, MD as Chief Medical Officer Further Expanding Company’s Expertise in Field of Pain Management


RALEIGH, N.C., July 30, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc. (NASDAQ:BDSI), a leading commercial based specialty pharmaceutical company focused on patients living with chronic pain has appointed Thomas B. Smith, MD, FAAFP, as Chief Medical Officer and member of the Company’s Executive Leadership Team.  Dr. Smith brings nearly thirty years of medical experience and expertise in the field of pain management to BDSI.  His extensive and wide-ranging roles include having been Chief Medical Officer at various leading pain companies, head of medical affairs at top tier pharma and CRO companies, as well as running his own private practice.   Dr. Smith is a highly published scientific author and has delivered more than 150 presentations in his field of expertise.

“We are thrilled to have Tom join BDSI at this important time of significant growth for our organization,” said Herm Cukier, Chief Executive Officer of BioDelivery Sciences.  “Dr. Smith’s depth of industry experience and intimate knowledge of the pain space, including strong relationships with KOLs and leading policy institutions, will be extremely valuable as we continue to build our medical programs in support of our products.  His extensive expertise makes him uniquely suited to help us realize our near and long-term goals and we are confident that he will be a great addition to the BDSI management team.”

“I am very excited to join the BDSI team and bring my industry and pain management expertise to this already impressive organization.  BDSI is quickly becoming a leader in this field and I look forward to contributing to its continued success,” stated Dr. Smith.

Dr. Smith earned a Doctor of Medicine degree from the Indiana University School of Medicine and a Bachelor of Science degree from Purdue University. He is a member of several medical societies and organizations including the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Family Physicians. Tom will be based out of the company’s headquarters in Raleigh, North Carolina.

About BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc.

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 marketed products and those in development address serious and debilitating conditions such as chronic pain, breakthrough cancer pain and opioid dependence.  BDSI's headquarters is in Raleigh, North Carolina.  

For more information, please visit or follow us:

Internet:         www.bdsi.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/BioDeliverySI
Twitter: @BioDeliverySI

BUNAVAIL® (buprenorphine and naloxone) buccal film (CIII) and BELBUCA® (buprenorphine) buccal film (CIII) are marketed in the U.S. by BioDelivery Sciences.  For full prescribing information and important safety information on BDSI products 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.  For full prescribing and safety information on BELBUCA, please visit www.belbuca.com and for full prescribing and safety information on BUNAVAIL, please visit www.bunavail.com.

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. ("BDSI") 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 BDSI'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 BDSI's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including those detailed in the BDSI's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Actual results (including, without limitation, the results of the Company’s new Chief Executive Officer and the anticipated benefits to the Company related to such new officer as described herein) may differ significantly from those set forth or implied 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 BDSI's control).  BDSI 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®, ONSOLIS®, BUNAVAIL® and BELBUCA® are registered trademarks of BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc.  The BioDelivery Sciences, BUNAVAIL and BELBUCA logos are trademarks owned by BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc.  All other trademarks and tradenames are owned by their respective owners.

© 2018 BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc.  All rights reserved.

Contacts
Mary Coleman
Vice President, Investor and Public Relations
BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc.
919-582-9050
mcoleman@bdsi.com

Monique Kosse
Managing Director
LifeSci Advisors
212-915-3820
monique@lifesciadvisors.com