AVI BioPharma Reports Exciting Results of Stem Cell Regulation Studies at Prestigious Hematology Conference.

Health/Medical Writers

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BW HealthWire)--Dec. 6, 2000

NEUGENE antisense compounds demonstrate regulation of stem cell 

proliferation and differentiation

AVI BioPharma Inc. (Nasdaq:AVII), (Nasdaq:AVIIW), (Nasdaq:AVIIZ), today announced that in two collaborative studies with a University of Washington scientist and the National Cancer Institute, AVI's NEUGENE(R) antisense technology demonstrated certain critical aspects of control of stem cells.

These findings could open new paths to understanding and treating numerous life-threatening diseases, including cancer.

Bone marrow stem cells, which give rise to all the different types of blood cells, are used clinically to reconstitute patients with depleted bone marrow due to cancer chemotherapy, radiation, or several other causes. Since stem cells are in low frequency and difficult to expand in the laboratory, there is always considerable risk during bone marrow transplantation. The first study showed that AVI's third-generation antisense compound, targeted against the TGF-beta gene, induced dramatic stem cell multiplication without differentiation into different types of blood cells. This could potentially eliminate the need for large quantities of stem cells in the bone marrow transplant setting.

In the second study, which targeted a different gene product, Evi-1, stem cell differentiation into defined blood cell types was induced without the proliferation shown in the first study. Together the studies demonstrate the versatility of AVI's NEUGENE technology in selectively regulating either proliferation or differentiation of bone marrow stem cells.

"Manipulating stem cells has become an important component in treating and understanding a large number of diseases. Bone marrow transplantation is now essential therapy for several diseases and there is even speculation that an important feature of cancer is stem cells gone awry," said Patrick Iversen, Ph.D., AVI's Senior Vice President of Research and Development. "By being able to regulate the growth of these cells, it is possible we will someday be able to control cancer through that same mechanism. While this research is still in the preclinical stages, it has provided us with valuable tools for additional discoveries." The two separate studies were presented at the American Society of Hematology meeting this week. Both studies were conducted in collaboration with University of Washington researcher Steven Bartlemez, Ph.D., a pioneer in stem cell research.

"We are pleased that NEUGENES have become a significant contributor to the clinical applications of stem cell research. This novel work emphasizes the breadth of our antisense technology," said AVI's Chairman and CEO Denis R. Burger, Ph.D. "Research in the stem cell area has already contributed to our understanding of critical disease mechanisms and our ability to regulate their proliferation and differentiation will certainly play a significant role in the future of stem cell transplantation."

In addition to blood stem cells, scientists have also isolated neural stem cells from the brain, and stem cells that form muscle, cartilage, fat and other tissue. One advantage of using stem cell transplantation is that they are rarely rejected by the host organism.

This year's meeting of the American Society of Hematology, held in San Francisco, highlighted innovations in stem cell research by devoting an entire day to the topic. Further details on the conference are available at www.hematology.org.

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, recently completed 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. Resten-NG 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.