Healthcare Industry News: breakthrough cancer pain
News Release - April 10, 2007
BioDelivery Sciences Names Al Medwar as Vice President of Marketing
MORRISVILLE, N.C.--(HSMN NewsFeed)--BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc. (Nasdaq:BDSI ) has hired Al Medwar as Vice President of Marketing, effective April 16, 2007. Mr. Medwar's appointment fills an important role on BDSI's team, and BDSI believes that Mr. Medwar's significant experience in pharmaceutical marketing and sales will be a great asset to the company as it moves its pipeline of specialty pharmaceutical products through the clinical development and commercial partnering processes.As previously announced in January, BDSI plans to release its Phase III efficacy data on its lead product, BEMA(TM) Fentanyl for the treatment of breakthrough cancer pain, this month following the unblinding and subsequent analysis of the data. At the same time BDSI announces these Phase III data results, the company also plans to provide guidance on the timing around the submission of the NDA for BEMA(TM) Fentanyl.
Mr. Medwar joins BDSI from EMD Pharmaceuticals, the U.S. subsidiary of Merck KGaA, where he was head of oncology marketing. Prior to joining EMD, he was Director of Marketing at Triangle Pharmaceuticals, where he managed the strategic and tactical business planning and launch preparation in support of that company's portfolio of antiviral products for HIV and Hepatitis B.
Mr. Medwar also served in various capacities in both sales and marketing at Glaxo Wellcome for nearly 10 years, including Product Manager for Wellbutrin SR. He managed strategic planning and tactical execution for the introduction of Wellbutrin SR and launching the opioid analgesic remifentanil (Ultiva).
Dr. Mark A. Sirgo, President and Chief Executive Officer of BDSI, commented, "Significant in Al's hiring was his oncology background and launch experience with Ultiva. This experience will complement our BEMA(TM) Fentanyl product, targeting the treatment of breakthrough cancer pain. Additionally, his background in HIV-related pharmaceutical products will be of great value for our Bioral(R) Amphotericin B product, which has the potential to target infections prevalent in those with compromised immune systems such as patients with HIV disease or AIDS, or patients receiving chemotherapy. Al's experience in working in numerous commercial distribution partnerships will also be invaluable as we negotiate potential partnerships for our products such as BEMA(TM) Fentanyl and our second pain product, BEMA(TM)LA. We are pleased to have Al joining BDSI at this important time and look forward to what we expect will be significant contributions."
Mr. Medwar received his B.S. with a concentration in Marketing and Business Management from Cornell University, and earned his M.B.A. with a concentration in Marketing from Bentley College's Graduate School of Business.
About BioDelivery Sciences International
BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc. is a specialty pharmaceutical company that is focused on developing innovative products to treat acute conditions such as pain. The company utilizes its owned and licensed patented drug delivery technologies to develop, partner and commercialize, clinically-significant new products using proven therapeutics. BDSI's pain franchise currently consists of two products in development utilizing the company's patented BEMA(TM) oral adhesive disc technology: BEMA(TM) Fentanyl, a treatment for "breakthrough" cancer pain, and BEMA(TM) LA, a second analgesic with a target indication of the treatment of moderate to severe pain. The company is also working with both its BEMA(TM) technology and its patented Bioral(R) nanocochleate technology on products targeted at other acute treatment opportunities such as insomnia, nausea and vomiting, and infections. 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, projections, expectations and intentions and other statements identified by words such as "projects", "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, actual sales results, if any, the application of funds, the performance of new hires, or the timing for completion and results of scheduled or 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). Peak sales and market size estimates have been determined on the basis of market research and comparable product analysis, but no assurances can be given that such sales levels will be achieved, if at all.
Source: BioDelivery Sciences
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