BioDelivery Sciences Announces Positive Results Supporting BEMA Buprenorphine/Naloxone Formulation for Opioid Dependence

Sept. 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc. (Nasdaq: BDSI) announced positive preliminary results from its Phase 1 study assessing the pharmacokinetics of a BEMA Buprenorphine/Naloxone formulation.  BDSI is seeking to develop and commercialize a high dose formulation of buprenorphine combined with naloxone (abuse deterrent agent) for the treatment of opioid dependence. This study assessed buprenorphine and naloxone absorption profiles from BDSI's BioErodible MucoAdhesive (BEMA) formulation of buprenorphine/naloxone versus the FDA approved and currently marketed opioid dependence product, Suboxone.  Results of the study demonstrated the ability of the BEMA formulation to meet the key pharmacokinetic goal of delivering plasma concentrations of buprenorphine in the range needed to treat opioid dependence while minimizing the exposure of naloxone.  "We are pleased with the results of this study as they are consistent with our expectations and allow us to now optimize our BEMA Buprenorphine/Naloxone formulation prior to conducting the pivotal bioequivalence study," stated Dr. Andrew Finn, Executive Vice President of Product Development at BDSI.  "We expect to initiate the pivotal bioequivalence trial in December of this year with results expected during the first quarter of 2012.  If the results from this pivotal study are positive, we could be in a position to submit a New Drug Application (NDA) for BEMA Buprenorphine/Naloxone in the second half of 2012." BEMA Buprenorphine/Naloxone is the first BEMA formulation to include two drugs – high dose buprenorphine which reduces the craving and withdrawal effects from the dependent opioid, and an opioid antagonist, naloxone, to deter abuse. Opioid dependence is a significant healthcare concern in the U.S. with nearly 2 million people dependent on prescription opioids.  Suboxone is the most widely prescribed treatment for opioid dependence, with annual sales exceeding $1 billion in the U.S. and continuing to grow steadily according to data from Wolters Kluwer.  BDSI believes that the BEMA delivery technology may offer a convenient alternative to Suboxone for the treatment of opioid dependence.

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 oncology supportive care.  BDSI's pain franchise currently consists of two products utilizing the patented BEMA technology.  ONSOLIS (fentanyl buccal soluble film) is approved in the U.S., Canada, and the E.U. (where it will be marketed as BREAKYL), 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.).  BDSI's second pain product, BEMA Buprenorphine, is being developed for the treatment of moderate to severe chronic pain and is in development in a high dose formulation for the treatment of opioid dependence.  Additional product candidates are being developed utilizing the BEMA technology for conditions such as nausea/vomiting (BEMA Granisetron).  BDSI's headquarters is located in Raleigh, North Carolina.  For more information, visit www.bdsi.com.