AVI BioPharma to Present Business Strategy at Cowen and Company's 27th Annual Health Care Conference.

PORTLAND, Ore. -- AVI BioPharma, Inc. (Nasdaq:AVII), announced that Chief Executive Officer Denis R. Burger, Ph.D., will be presenting an update on the company's business strategy and clinical development today at Cowen and Company LLC's 27th Annual Health Care Conference. Dr. Burger's presentation will begin at 9:30 a.m. at The Boston Marriott Copley Place Hotel.

About AVI BioPharma

AVI BioPharma develops therapeutic products for the treatment of life-threatening diseases using third-generation NEUGENE([R]) antisense drugs. AVI's lead NEUGENE antisense compound is designed to target cell proliferation disorders, including cardiovascular restenosis, cancer and polycystic kidney disease. In addition to targeting specific genes in the body, AVI's antiviral program uses NEUGENE antisense compounds to combat disease by targeting single-stranded RNA viruses, including West Nile virus, hepatitis C virus, dengue virus, Ebola virus and influenza A virus. AVI has introduced a NEUGENE-based exon-skipping technology called ESPRIT therapy. More information about AVI is available on the company's Web site 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 preclinical 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.