AVI BioPharma To Present Promising Clinical Cancer Vaccine Data at Prominent Oncology Conference.

Business Editors/Health & Medical Writers

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BW HealthWire)--May 19, 2000

Patrick L. Iversen, Ph.D., Senior Vice President of Research and Development for AVI BioPharma, Inc. (Nasdaq:AVII) (Nasdaq:AVIIW, AVIIZ) will present data from the company's Phase II clinical study of its therapeutic cancer vaccine at the American Society of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) May 20.

The findings demonstrate that patients with advanced colorectal cancer who responded to AVICINE(TM) lived as long or longer than patients treated with traditional chemotherapy but without experiencing the side effects of chemotherapy.

The presentation, titled "Active Specific Immunotherapy with a beta-hCG Peptide Vaccine in Human Metastatic Colorectal Cancer," was selected for an oral presentation as part of a special ASCO session on cancer vaccines. Iversen will discuss highlights from the multi-center randomized trial of the AVI AVICINE cancer vaccine in 77 patients with colorectal cancer.

"These data are a crucial part of our continued development of AVICINE," Iversen said. "The findings demonstrated that patients who responded to both targets, or epitopes, in the vaccine had improved survival compared to patients treated with chemotherapy. These exciting results led us to improve the formulation of the vaccine. We expect the improved formulation to increase immunological response and lead to additional patient survival in future studies. The new formulation is currently being used in a Phase II study in 50 patients with pancreatic cancer, and based on the data we're presenting tomorrow, will enter Phase III trials later this year as first line therapy in colorectal cancer."

ASCO attracts more than 20,000 oncologists and other healthcare professionals who come to exchange ideas and hear about the latest breakthroughs in cancer research, treatment, and prevention. This year the annual conference is being held in New Orleans.

Iversen said, "This conference is an excellent opportunity for clinicians and other scientists to learn more about breakthroughs in research and treatment. We're excited about the chance to participate in this year's event by sharing our own cutting-edge work."

AVI recently announced a joint commercialization and profit sharing arrangement with SuperGen, Inc. (Nasdaq:SUPG). Under terms of the agreement, the companies will split ongoing development and commercialization costs, as well as profits in the Untied States. Additionally, AVI and SuperGen will jointly determine the optimal development and partnering strategy internationally.

AVICINE is a therapeutic cancer vaccine that elicits an immune response to the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone associated with most forms of cancer. It is currently being studied in a Phase II multi-center trial in pancreatic cancer designed to evaluate its effectiveness alone and in combination with Eli Lilly & Co.'s gemcitabine chemotherapy. Patients interested in participating in clinical trials for Avicine should call 206/285-5588.

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, is in 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. AVI has begun clinical trials of Resten-NG(TM) in cardiovascular restenosis, the first application of its novel third-generation NEUGENE(R) antisense technology. 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. More information about AVI is available on the Company's website 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.