BioDelivery Sciences Hires Proven Pharmaceutical Executive To Head Sales and Marketing Effort; Appointment of Former Altana Pharma AG and GlaxoSmithKline Executive Reflects BDSI's Commitment to Product Commercialization

Business Wire, Jan 9, 2006

MORRISVILLE, N.C. -- BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc. (NASDAQ:BDSI) today announced the appointment of Mark W. Salyer, a former executive with Altana Pharma AG and GlaxoSmithKline, to the newly created position of Executive Vice-President of Sales and Marketing. Mr. Salyer brings over 20 years of pharmaceutical experience to BDSI.

Mr. Salyer's initial focus will be on working with TEAMM Pharmaceuticals on the anticipated launch of Emezine(R) in the first half of 2006. In addition, Mr. Salyer will be designing the commercial strategy around BDSI's other proposed products and formulations, including the Company's developing pain franchise, which currently includes BEMA(TM) Fentanyl, a treatment for breakthrough cancer pain in opioid tolerant patients, and BEMA(TM) LA, a product for moderate to severe pain. He will also work in conjunction with Business Development to identify key partnerships including co-promotional agreements worldwide where they are deemed necessary to support the business strategy.

Most recently, Mr. Salyer served in a dual role as Senior Vice-President, Sales and Marketing for the U.S. and Corporate Vice-President, Global Franchise Management-Respiratory for Altana Pharma AG. Prior to joining Altana, Mr. Salyer spent 17 years at GlaxoSmithKline in numerous leadership roles including Vice President, Global Commercial Strategy for Respiratory Products; Director of Marketing for Respiratory and Migraine Brands in the U.S., and other strategic and financial roles.

Mr. Salyer holds CPA licenses in North Carolina and Virginia, a BS in Accounting from Virginia Tech and a MBA from Duke University's Fuqua School of Business.

Mark Sirgo, President and CEO of BDSI, stated, "Bringing Mark on board firmly demonstrates our commitment to the commercialization process as we further evolve from a drug development company into a fully integrated specialty pharmaceutical company. With Emezine(R) and BEMA(TM) Fentanyl at the later stages of their clinical development, Mark's appointment marks a key strategic move towards commercialization of our proprietary products. Mark's background is well suited to lead this effort, having built out the U.S commercial organization for Altana Pharma AG, having managed numerous global and US commercial partnerships, as well as having managed numerous product launches, including the turnaround of GlaxoSmithKline's two migraine brands, Imitrex(R) and Amerge(R). We look forward to Mark designing and implementing the sales and marketing strategy for the BDSI portfolio of products in a manner that will allow us to maximize its value."

BioDelivery's Emezine(R) product, a dissolving buccal tablet for treating nausea and vomiting, is presently undergoing 505(b)(2) FDA review, with a decision expected on its approvability in the first quarter of 2006. If approved by the FDA, Emezine(R) will represent BDSI's initial product. Under an agreement with BDSI, TEAMM Pharmaceuticals will be responsible for the marketing and distribution of Emezine(R).

BDSI is also entering Phase III trials under the FDA's 505(b)(2) process on BEMA(TM) Fentanyl for the indication of 'breakthrough' cancer pain and recently announced the filing of an IND for BEMA(TM) LA, which will begin clinical trials during the first half of 2006.

About BioDelivery Sciences International

BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc. is a specialty biopharmaceutical company that is exploiting its licensed and patented drug delivery technologies to develop and commercialize, either on its own or in partnerships with third parties, clinically-significant new formulations of proven therapeutics targeted at "acute" treatment opportunities such as pain, anxiety, nausea and vomiting, and infections. The company's drug delivery technologies include: (i) the patented Bioral(R) nanocochleate technology, designed for a potentially broad base of applications, and (ii) the patented BEMA(TM) (transmucosal or mouth) drug delivery technology. The company's headquarters are located in Morrisville, North Carolina and its principal laboratory is located in Newark, New Jersey. For more information please visit www.bdsinternational.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Note: Except for the historical information contained herein, this press release contains, among other things, certain forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that involve risks and uncertainties. Such statement may include, without limitation, statements with respect to the Company's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements identified by words such as "may", "could", "would", "should", "believes", "expects", "anticipates", "estimates", "intends", "plans" 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 results of additional clinical trials and FDA review of the Company's formulations and products, may differ 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).