<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-05-05</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001103021</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BIODELIVERY SCIENCES INTERNATIONAL INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BDSI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001326017</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Poole William</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1301 KINGS GRANT DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>RALEIGH</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NC</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>27614</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Series A Convertible Preferred Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>4.25</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>3190</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The Series A Preferred will be convertible into shares of the Company's common stock (the &quot;Common Stock&quot;) on a one for one basis.  The Series A Preferred is eligible for conversion upon the earlier to occur of: (i) FDA approval of Arius' first proposed product of the Company's Arius Pharmaceuticals subsidiary (ii) 30 days notice to the Company of a Conversion Event (hereinafter defined) or (iii) August 24, 2009.  The term &quot;Conversion Event&quot; is defined in the Certificate of Designation of the Series A Preferred to mean the failure of the Company to provide at least $3,000,000 to Arius as required to: (i) pay Atrix Laboratories, Inc. (&quot;Atrix&quot;) $1,000,000 by August 24, 2004 pursuant to the terms of a license agreement between Aruius and Atrix and (ii)fund, in a total amount of no less than $2,000,000, the operations of Arius.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">One share of common stock for one share of preferred stock.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Not applicable</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>William S. Poole</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-05-05</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
