AVI BioPharma Executives to Speak at Roth Capital Partners and BIO CEO Investor Conferences
PORTLAND, Ore. - Feb. 19, 2002 - AVI BioPharma Inc. (Nasdaq: AVII, AVIIW, AVIIZ) today announced that company executives will speak at two prominent investor and biotechnology conferences this week. AVI's President and Chief Operating Officer, Alan Timmins, will present today at the Roth Capital Partners Growth Stock Conference in Laguna Niguel, Calif., and Denis Burger, Ph.D., the company's chief executive officer, will present at the BIO CEO and Investor Conference on Thursday, Feb. 21, in New York City.
Burger and Timmins will discuss the company's progress with its two core technology platforms: NeuGene® antisense and cancer immunotherapy. In addition, both executives will demonstrate the broad applicability and versatility of these two platforms -- as well as market and partnership opportunities.
"AVI is the only company that is in clinical development with novel third-generation antisense technology that can address a variety of life-threatening diseases," Burger said. "Our approach bypasses the lengthy process most drug companies must undergo to develop a drug to block the disease-causing gene. This puts us in a great position to develop new therapies and add significant value to therapies currently marketed."
Speaking times for Timmins and Burger are as follows:
14th Annual Roth Capital Partner Growth Stock Conference
The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, Calif., Feb. 18-20, 2002
Speaker: Alan Timmins, President and COO
Date: Feb. 19, 2002
Time: 5 p.m.
BIO CEO and Investor Conference
Walldorf-Astoria, New York City, Feb. 20-22, 2002
Speaker: Denis Burger, CEO
Date: Feb. 21, 2002
Time: 5:20 p.m.
About AVI BioPharma
AVI BioPharma develops therapeutic products for the treatment of life-threatening diseases using two technology platforms: NeuGene antisense drugs and cancer immunotherapy. Its lead cancer agent, AVICINE®, a therapeutic cancer vaccine, has completed three Phase II trials in colorectal and pancreatic cancer and is in a Phase III pivotal trial in colorectal cancer. The first application of its NeuGene compounds, Resten-NG, is designed to treat cancer, cardiovascular restenosis and other cell proliferation disorders by inhibiting the production of a cellular transcription factor, the oncogene c-myc. It is currently in Phase II trials for restenosis and in Phase I/II trials for cancer and polycystic kidney disease. 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 pre-clinical 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 Security and Exchange Commission filings.