BDSI's Bioral Drug Delivery Technology May Reduce GI Damage Caused By NSAIDs and Aspirin.

NEWARK, N.J. -- Initial Laboratory Findings Show the Potential to Reduce Reliance on Selective COX-2 Inhibitors

BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc. (NASDAQ:BDSI) announced today that, in laboratory testing, it recently applied its licensed and patented Bioral(TM) "nanocochleate" drug delivery technology to aspirin and traditional non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS) that are not selective COX-2 inhibitors. BDSI contracted with an independent testing laboratory to test its Bioral(TM) formulations of aspirin and other NSAIDs in a well-established animal model of inflammation. These proof-of-principle animal studies have demonstrated that encochleated NSAIDS enabled a statistically significant reduction in gastro-intestinal toxicity compared to standard formulations at clinically-relevant high doses of these NSAIDs and aspirin while providing comparable anti-inflammatory effects.

The Bioral(TM) technology uses soy-derived phospholipid and calcium to envelope (or "cochleate," derived from the Greek word for "shell") the drug in such a way that it appears to allow absorption to occur without the NSAID coming into contact with the gastric mucosa, thus reducing the incidence of mucosal ulceration that is often associated with NSAID and aspirin use. The major alleged benefit of the selective COX-2 inhibitors over the NSAIDs has been reduced gastrointestinal damage. However, the new laboratory findings show that it may be possible for this benefit to now be matched by applying the Bioral(TM) technology to NSAIDs and aspirin. In addition, these proof-of-principle findings show that nanoencochleated NSAIDs may reduce the common and expensive use of NSAIDs with H2 antagonists and proton pump inhibitors to protect the gastrointestinal lining of patients taking NSAIDs.

BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc. is a biotechnology company that is developing and seeking to commercialize patented and licensed delivery technologies for pharmaceuticals, vaccines, over-the-counter drugs, nutraceuticals and micronutrients. The company's technologies include: (i) the patented Bioral(TM) nanocochleate technology, designed for a potentially broad base of applications, and (ii) the patented BEMA(TM) (buccal or mouth) drug delivery technology being developed by the company's Arius Pharmaceuticals subsidiary with a focus on "acute" treatment opportunities for surgical and oncology patients.

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 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).

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