Press Release

Presentations to Take Place at Rodman & Renshaw 8th Annual Global Healthcare Conference and Paulson Investment's 29th Annual Westergaard

                          SmallCap Conference

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 6, 2006--AVI BioPharma, Inc. (Nasdaq:AVII), President and COO Alan P. Timmins will present the company's business strategy and clinical development update at two investor conferences today.

The first, Paulson Investment's 29th Annual Westergaard SmallCap Conference at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City, includes four presentations by Timmins between 9 a.m. and 2:05 p.m. EST. A 10-minute webcast of Timmins' presentation will be available at 10:45 a.m. EST via the conference Web site at http://www.westergaardsmallcap.com.

Second, Timmins will present at the Rodman & Renshaw 8th Annual Global Healthcare Conference at 3:55 p.m. EST at the New York Palace Hotel.

"I'm looking forward to discussing AVI's progress against our development and financial goals for 2006," said Timmins. "This has been an important year for the company in terms of advancing clinical programs in infectious disease and cardiovascular therapeutics. We have also executed on our partnership strategy and have achieved significant milestones in preclinical programs."

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.

    CONTACT: AVI BioPharma, Inc.
             Michael Hubbard, 503-227-0554
             hubbard@avibio.com
             or
             Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates Inc.
             Jody Cain, 310-691-7100 (Investor Contact)
             jcain@lhai.com
             or
             Brandi Floberg, 310-691-7100 (Investor Contact)
             bfloberg@lhai.com
             or
             Waggener Edstrom Worldwide
             Bioscience and Healthcare Practice
             Jenny Moede, 503-443-7000 (Press Contact)
             jmoede@waggeneredstrom.com

    SOURCE: AVI BioPharma, Inc.