AVANIR Invites Investors to Webcast of Presentation at Needham & Company Biotech Conference.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

Needham & Company Third Annual Biotech Conference

BIOWIRE2K

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 9, 2004

AVANIR Pharmaceuticals, (AMEX:AVN) today announced that its presentation at the Needham & Company Third Annual Biotech Conference will be Webcast and can be accessed at http://www.avanir.com. President and Chief Executive Officer Gerald J. Yakatan, Ph.D., will be presenting at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time on June 16th from the conference in New York.

To access the Webcast, please log on to AVANIR's corporate Web site approximately 15 minutes prior to the presentation to register and download any necessary audio software. An archived version of the presentation will be available for 90 days following the conference.

AVANIR Pharmaceuticals is a drug discovery and development company focused on novel treatments for chronic diseases. The company's most advanced product candidate, Neurodex(TM), is in Phase III clinical development for pseudobulbar affect, and in Phase II clinical development for neuropathic pain. A potential treatment for allergy and asthma, AVP 13358, is in Phase I clinical development. AVANIR also develops human monoclonal antibodies for infectious diseases and other therapeutic applications. The company's first commercialized product, Abreva(R), is marketed in North America by GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare and is the leading over-the-counter product for the treatment of cold sores. Further information about AVANIR can be found at www.avanir.com.

The information contained in this press release, including any forward-looking statements contained herein, should be reviewed in conjunction with the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other publicly available information regarding the Company. Copies of such information are available from the Company upon request. Such publicly available information sets forth many risks and uncertainties related to the Company's business and technology. Forward-looking statements often contain such words like "estimate," "anticipate," "believe," "plan" or "expect." The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.