DARA BioSciences Announces Launch of Bionect for Treatment of Skin Irritation and Burns Associated With Radiation Therapy for Cancer

RALEIGH, N.C., June 6, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DARA BioSciences, Inc. (Nasdaq:DARA) (the "Company" or "DARA"), an emerging oncology and oncology-support specialty pharmaceutical company, announced the commercial launch of Bionect® for the treatment of skin irritation and burns associated with radiation therapy.

DARA has hired a dedicated team of five field-based Regional Business Directors who will coordinate the commercial introduction of Bionect for the cancer care market across the United States. Each Director brings over 20 years of commercial experience as well as extensive expertise in product launches and niche product marketing.

"This is a milestone event for DARA. In a very short period of time we have transformed ourselves into a fully integrated specialty pharmaceutical company. The launch of Bionect demonstrates our ability to execute against our corporate objective of making this transformation a reality. Our goal is to become the preeminent company in oncology supportive care. Bionect is the first step in that direction," said CEO Dr. David J. Drutz.

Nearly two-thirds of cancer patients will receive radiation therapy during their illness. This equates to approximately one million patients per year treated with radiotherapy. Up to 87 percent of these radiation oncology patients may experience moderate to severe radiodermatitis, during or after therapy. Such treatment breaks down skin barriers, which may lead to infection. The management of these skin reactions varies among cancer centers and is often based on personal preference and historical practices rather than clinical evidence. In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial, Bionect, the only low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid available in the market, was shown to help resolve radiation-induced inflammation and also to postpone the first signs of acute epithelitis.

source: DARA Bioscience