CORVALLIS, OR--(MARKET WIRE)--Nov 4, 2008 -- AVI BioPharma, Inc. (NasdaqGM:AVII - News), a developer of RNA-based drugs, today announced that Leslie Hudson, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of AVI BioPharma, will present a company overview at the Rodman & Renshaw Annual Global Investment Conference in New York City on Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. ET.

A live and archived audio webcast of the presentation will be accessible at the AVI BioPharma website at www.avibio.com.

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 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