AVI BioPharma, Inc. Appoints Former Elan Medical Director to Clinical and Regulatory Affairs Post.

Business Editors/Health and Medical Writers

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BW HealthWire)--Nov. 3, 2000

AVI BioPharma, Inc. (Nasdaq:AVII, AVIIW, AVIIZ) today announced it has hired David H. Mason, Jr., M.D., as its new Senior Vice President of Clinical Development and Regulatory Affairs.

Dr. Mason brings to AVI nearly 20 years experience in clinical research positions at leading pharmaceutical companies, including Elan Corp.

Dr. Mason's previous experience includes work in cancer, cardiovascular disease, and infectious disease, key research areas at AVI. In his new position, he will oversee AVI's expanding clinical studies of its two technology platforms -- cancer immunotherapy and gene-targeted drugs -- in a variety of diseases.

"Dr. Mason's extensive current clinical research experience in the pharmaceutical industry, combined with his past work as a practicing physician adds the depth we need as we aggressively expand our clinical trials program," said Denis R. Burger, Ph.D., CEO of AVI. "With his addition, we are well prepared to meet the increasing workload of our extensive clinical pipeline."

Currently AVI is conducting a Phase II study of its cancer vaccine, Avicine, in pancreatic cancer, and expects to soon begin a Phase II study in prostate cancer and a Phase III licensing trial in colorectal cancer. In addition, AVI's proprietary NeuGene antisense compound is undergoing a Phase II clinical trial in cardiovascular restenosis, and will soon enter trials for cancer and infectious diseases.

"I was attracted to AVI because of its third-generation NeuGene antisense compounds and cancer immunotherapy agents under development. These compounds are forming the basis of an impressive drug pipeline," said Dr. Mason. "I'm excited about the opportunity to bring these biotherapeutics through the FDA approval process and to the market."

Previously, Dr. Mason was Vice President of Medical Affairs for Elan Pharmaceuticals in San Francisco, a pharmaceutical company also known for developing proprietary controlled delivery technologies. Prior to that, Dr. Mason was a vice president at Somatogen Inc., a Boulder, Co. biotechnology company, and has held a similar posts at Lederle Laboratories and Ciba-Geigy Pharmaceuticals.

Dr. Mason completed his internship and a rheumatology fellowship at Duke University Hospital, has held academic positions at the University of Michigan and the George Washington School of Medicine, and has practiced as a physician.

Gordon Duncan, Ph.D., who had been serving in the clinical development role for AVI, will remain as a consultant to the company.

AVI BioPharma develops therapeutic products for the treatment of life-threatening diseases using two technology platforms: cancer immunotherapy and gene-targeted drugs. Its lead clinical agent, AVICINE(TM), a therapeutic cancer vaccine, is undergoing a Phase II trial in pancreatic cancer, and will soon enter a Phase III pivotal trial in colorectal cancer and a Phase II trial in prostate cancer. The first application of its NEUGENE compounds, Resten-NG, is designed to treat cancer, cardiovascular restenosis and other cell proliferation disorders by inhibiting the production of a cellular transcription factor, the oncogene c-myc. It is currently in Phase II trials for cardiovascular restenosis. More information about AVI is available at http://www.avibio.com.

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The statements that are not historical facts contained in this release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the results of research and development efforts, the results of pre-clinical and clinical testing, the effect of regulation by the FDA and other agencies, the impact of competitive products, product development, commercialization and technological difficulties, and other risks detailed in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.