AVI BioPharma, Inc. to Present at TIDES 2009 Conference

PORTLAND, OR, May 19 (MARKET WIRE) --
AVI BioPharma, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVII), a developer of RNA-based drugs, today
announced that Peter Sazani, Ph.D., Executive Director of Preclinical
Development, is presenting an overview of AVI-4658 today at the at the
TIDES Oligonucleotide and Peptide Technology and Product Development
Conference taking place in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Dr. Sazani's presentation, which is part of the conference's 'Innovation
Showcase,' will feature an overview of AVI-4658, the Company's RNA
therapeutic in development for treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy
(DMD). AVI-4658 is a phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer (PMO) drug
designed to skip exon 51 of the dystrophin gene, allowing for restoration
of the reading frame in the mRNA sequence. Results from a Phase 1 single
dose escalation study of AVI-4658 testing the effect of intramuscular (IM)
showed that injection of the drug into the muscles of a series of DMD
patients successfully induced dystrophin production in each patient.

The TIDES conference joins leaders in oligionucleotide and peptide
development and manufacturing.

About AVI BioPharma

AVI BioPharma is focused on the discovery and development of RNA-based
drugs utilizing proprietary derivatives of its antisense chemistry
(morpholino-modified phosphorodiamidate oligomers or PMOs) that can be
applied to a wide range of diseases and genetic disorders through several
distinct mechanisms of action. Unlike other RNA-based therapeutic
approaches, AVI's antisense technology has been used to directly target
both messenger RNA (mRNA) and its precursor (pre-mRNA), allowing for both
up- and down-regulation of targeted genes and proteins. AVI's RNA-based
drug programs are being evaluated for the treatment of Duchenne muscular
dystrophy as well as for the treatment of cardiovascular restenosis
through our partner Global Therapeutics, a Cook Group Company. AVI's
antiviral programs have demonstrated promising outcomes in Ebola Zaire
and Marburg Musoke virus infections and may prove applicable to other
viral targets such as HCV or Dengue viruses. For more information, visit
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.

AVI Press and Investor Contact:
Julie Rathbun
Investor Relations
(541) 224-2575
Investorrelations@avibio.com

Copyright 2009, Market Wire, All rights reserved.

-0-