AVI BioPharma Announces Presentation of Data at Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics Conference
PORTLAND, Ore. — Oct. 19, 2005 — AVI BioPharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: AVII), today announced two presentations that will be made at the Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics conference this week in Washington, D.C., providing updates on AVI’s cardiovascular programs.
Dr. Nicholas Kipshidze will present “Nanoparticle Delivery of Antirestenotic Drugs: Insights From Preclinical Studies” during the Innovative Devices and Futuristic Therapies conference session Thursday afternoon. The data presented will highlight the successful intravenous delivery of AVI’s NeuGene® agent Resten–MP™ using AVI’s patented microparticle delivery technology, which was found to compare favorably with two other routes of administration — catheter and stent — in preventing cardiovascular restenosis following balloon angioplasty in animal models.
“We have demonstrated that our microparticle delivery system for Resten–MP is effective at delivering high concentrations of the drug to the sites of vessel injury,” said Denis R. Burger, Ph.D., chief executive officer of AVI BioPharma. “We are very pleased with the advances we’ve made in this delivery method and with the robustness of our drug platform.”
Dr. Raimund Erbel will present “Microbubble Delivery of C–MYC Antisense After Coronary Stents: Concept, Experimental Results, and Preliminary Findings From an FIM Trial” during the Drug–Eluting Stent Summit 2005 conference session Friday morning. Dr. Erbel’s presentation will provide an overview of the study design for AVI’s Phase II APPRAISAL trial in Germany, designed to evaluate AVI’s drug Resten–MP in the prevention of cardiovascular restenosis when delivered intravenously in conjunction with the placement of one or more bare–metal stents.
About AVI BioPharma
AVI BioPharma develops therapeutic products for the treatment of life–threatening diseases using third–generation NeuGene 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 and Ebola 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 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.