Press Release

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 5, 2007--AVI BioPharma, Inc. (Nasdaq:AVII), announced today that Alan P. Timmins, AVI's president and COO, will present an overview of the company's technology platforms and clinical drug development at the Acumen BioFin Rodman & Renshaw 9th Annual Healthcare Conference. The conference will be held at the New York Palace Hotel in New York City. Timmins' presentation will take place Monday, Nov. 5 at noon EST in the Kennedy II Room.

"We've made significant advances over the last year, particularly with our heightened focus on combating infectious diseases and in targeting genetic mechanisms responsible for a variety of disorders," said Timmins. "I'm pleased to have the opportunity to share with the participants both our progress to date and our expectations for the future growth of the company."

Last week, AVI announced it had been granted orphan drug designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Office of Orphan Products Development for AVI-4658, a drug designed for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). DMD, a devastating and incurable muscle-wasting disease, is the most common fatal genetic disorder to affect children worldwide. AVI-4658 uses AVI's ESPRIT technology (Exon Skipping Pre-RNA Interference Technology), which is designed to benefit patients with certain genetic mutations.

The Orphan Drug Act (ODA) provides economic incentives to encourage biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies to develop drugs for rare diseases, defined as those affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the United States. Orphan drug designation entitles AVI to seven years of market exclusivity for AVI-4658 for the treatment of patients with DMD. Additional incentives for orphan drug development include tax credits related to development expenses, reduction in FDA user fees and FDA assistance in clinical trial design.

About AVI BioPharma

AVI BioPharma develops therapeutic products for the treatment of life-threatening diseases using third-generation NEUGENE(R) antisense drugs and ESPRIT exon skipping technology. AVI's ESPRIT technology is initially being applied to potential treatments for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. AVI's lead NEUGENE compound is designed to target cell proliferation disorders, including cardiovascular restenosis. 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 dengue virus, Ebola virus and H5N1 avian influenza viruses. 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 Contact:
             AVI BioPharma, Inc.
             Michael Hubbard, 503-227-0554
             hubbard@avibio.com
             or
             AVI Investor Contacts:
             Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates Inc.
             Jody Cain or Brandi Floberg, 310-691-7100
             jcain@lhai.com
             bfloberg@lhai.com
             or
             AVI Press Contact:
             Waggener Edstrom Worldwide Healthcare
             Jenny Moede, 503-443-7000
             jmoede@waggeneredstrom.com

    SOURCE: AVI BioPharma, Inc.