Avanir Pharmaceuticals Invites Investors to UBS Global Lifesciences Conference Webcast.

SAN DIEGO -- AVANIR Pharmaceuticals (AMEX:AVN) will be presenting at the UBS Global Life Sciences Conference being held this week in New York. President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Gerald J. Yakatan will present a corporate overview at 8:30 am Eastern Time, on Thursday, September 30, 2004.

The live webcast of the presentation will be accessible through AVANIR's corporate website at http://www.avanir.com. To access the webcast, log on to AVANIR's site fifteen minutes prior to the presentation to register and download any necessary audio software. An archived version of the presentation will be available until October 30, 2004.

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, also known as emotional lability. Neurodex(TM) is 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. Final review decisions made by the FDA and other regulatory agencies concerning clinical trial results are unpredictable and outside the influence and/or control of the company.