AVI BioPharma, Inc. Presents at American Society of Virology Annual Meeting

PORTLAND, OR, Jul 14 (MARKET WIRE) --
AVI BioPharma, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVII), a developer of RNA-based drugs, today
announced that Dr. Fred Schnell of AVI presented at the American Society
of Virology Annual Meeting which took place July 11-15 in Vancouver, B.C.
The title of the presentation was "Pan-Arenavirus Antisense Therapeutic
Based On PMOplus(TM) Chemistry." In addition to Dr. Schnell, Drs.
Bestwick, Iversen and Mourich, all of AVI, coauthored the presentation.

Schnell presented results of preclinical findings using an antiviral
oligomer compound that incorporates AVI's proprietary backbone chemistry
(PMOplus(TM)). The work shows that a single oligomer blocks a terminal
sequence common to the eight distinct RNAs expressed by viruses from the
family of hemorrhagic fever arenaviruses. Because this sequence is highly
conserved among arenaviruses, a single agent might serve as a
pan-arenavirus drug. Arenaviruses include Lassa fever, lymphocytic
choriomeningitis, Junin and Machupo viruses, all members of the Class A
bioterrorism pathogen list.

"We believe that the PMOplus(TM) chemistry is particularly useful for
targeting potential variable or mutation prone sequences within the viral
RNA," said Ryszard Kole, AVI Senior V.P. Discovery Research. "This
chemistry, combined with the fact that a single agent blocks RNAs involved
in several steps of the viral life cycle of a whole family of viruses,
makes this approach to viral drug discovery look very promising."

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

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