AVI BioPharma CEO to Present at International Science Symposium On SARS in China
PORTLAND, Ore. - July 9, 2003 - AVI BioPharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: AVII, AVIIW, AVIIZ), today announced that Denis R. Burger, Ph.D., CEO of AVI BioPharma, will present an overview of the development of NeuGene® antisense drugs to combat the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) virus at the International Science Symposium on SARS, July 10-11, 2003, in Beijing.
"I am honored to share our SARS experience at the International Science Symposium, and look forward to forming a strong working relationship with the international delegates around this important public health issue," said Dr. Burger. "Our achievements and expertise in developing third-generation NeuGene antisense drugs against single-stranded RNA viruses provide valuable insights in the fight against viral outbreaks."
The scientific symposium is being co-sponsored by the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health, the Beijing Municipal Government, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Chinese Academy of Engineering and the National Natural Science Foundation of China. The symposium will discuss four main topics on SARS: epidemiology, diagnosis technologies, therapeutic drugs for atypical pneumonia, and research and development into vaccines and clinical treatments.
About AVI BioPharma
AVI BioPharma develops therapeutic products for the treatment of life-threatening diseases using two technology platforms: third-generation NeuGene antisense drugs and cancer immunotherapy. AVI's lead NeuGene antisense compound is designed to target cardiovascular restenosis, cancer, polycystic kidney disease and other cell proliferation disorders. In addition to targeting specific genes in the body, AVI's antiviral program uses NeuGene antisense compounds to target single-stranded RNA viruses, including West Nile virus, SARS coronavirus, calicivirus, and Hepatitis C. AVI's second technology, AVICINE®, is a therapeutic cancer vaccine with late-stage trials planned for the treatment of pancreatic and colorectal cancer. 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.