BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc. secured a $20.0 million senior secured loan from an affiliate of MidCap Financial, LLC.

The proceeds of the loan strengthens the cash position as BDSI moves toward the submission of a New Drug Application (NDA) for BUNAVAIL and the completion of the two Phase 3 clinical studies for BEMA Buprenorphine for chronic pain, the latter of which would result in milestone payments to BDSI from its commercial partner, Endo Health Solutions.

"This transaction strengthens our available capital resources as we proceed through the final steps to submitting our NDA for BUNAVAIL for the treatment of opioid dependence and complete our commercial assessment regarding partnering the asset or leading the effort at BDSI, " said Dr. Mark A. Sirgo, President and Chief Executive Officer. "In addition, this loan allows us to aggressively allocate immediate financial resources against our product pipeline, including our clinical program for Clonidine Topical Gel for the treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy, which we are targeting for Phase 2B initiation by the end of this year and data by the end of 2014."

Sirgo continued, "We see this as a non-dilutive way to strengthen our balance sheet as we head into what could prove to be the most prolific time in BDSI's history."

The secured loan has a term of 36 months with interest only payments for the first 6 months. The interest rate is 8.45% plus a LIBOR floor of 0.5%. Under the terms of loan, MidCap was also issued a warrant to purchase 357,143 shares of BDSI common stock with an exercise price of $4.20, the 20-day volume-weighted average share price of BDSI's common stock prior to closing of the loan.

BioDelivery Sciences International 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 addiction. BDSI's headquarters are located in Raleigh, NC.

MidCap Financial, LLC is a commercial finance company focused on middle market lending in the broad national healthcare industry. MidCap specializes in $5 million to $200 million loans. The company is headquartered in Bethesda, MD, with offices in Chicago and Los Angeles.