Wednesday January 12, 6:33 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
AVI BioPharma, Inc. Researcher to Present Preclinical
Pathway of Unique Structure At Elite Antisense
Conference
PORTLAND, Ore.--(BW HealthWire)--Jan. 12, 2000--Patrick L. Iversen, Ph.D., Senior Vice President of Research and
Development for AVI BIOPHARMA, INC. (``AVI') (Nasdaq:AVII - news), (Nasdaq:AVIIW - news), (Nasdaq:AVIIZ - news),
today addressed the Millennium Conference on Nucleic Acid Therapeutics on the topic of the distinctive mechanism of action of
Resten NG, AVI's proprietary sequence specific gene-inactivating compound against cardiovascular restenosis, and the process of
bringing that compound through preclinical trials.
Iversen's talk, titled ``Development of an Antisense C-myc Strategy -- From Bench to Bedside' will highlight the first successful
introduction into clinical trials of an antisense compound with function not based upon an Rnase-cutting mechanism of action. ``This
distinctive mechanism of action is profoundly and fundamentally different from the assumed mechanism of action of other
antisense types, and is the reason that our compounds show significant pharmaceutical advantages versus other antisense types,
many of which have struggled in clinical trial settings,' according to Iversen.
The biennial conference, this year held in Clearwater, Florida, attracts elite antisense researchers from around the world. ``This
conference provides a critical forum for the sharing of cutting edge scientific information,' Iversen stated. ``It allows companies
like ours to 'kick the tires`` of other leading antisense structural types to hopefully help advance the field as a whole.'
Iversen joins scientists from Georgetown University, Russia's Novosibirsk Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Sweden's Karolinska Institutet to address the session topic, Preclinical
Trials. Iversen will include information on AVI's work to define antisense as a gene expression inhibitor within objective, scientific
parameters, and present information on the experiments that established this hypothesis in a preclinical setting.
In December, AVI began clinical trials of Resten-NG in cardiovascular restenosis, the first application of its novel, proprietary
third-generation NeuGene antisense technology.
AVI BioPharma develops therapeutic products for the treatment of life-threatening diseases using two technology platforms:
cancer immunotherapy and gene-targeted drugs. Its lead clinical agent, Avicine, a therapeutic cancer vaccine, is in a Phase II trial
in pancreatic cancer, and will soon enter a Phase III pivotal trial in colorectal cancer and a Phase II trial in prostate cancer.
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 I trials for restenosis. For more information about the
Company, visit AVI's website at avibio.com.
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 Securities and Exchange Commission
filings.
Contact:
AVI BioPharma, Inc.
Denis R. Burger or Alan P. Timmins, 503/227-0554
or
Noonan/Russo Communications
Investor Relations -
Judy Brenna, 212/696-4455 Ext. 221
jbrenna@noonanrusso.com
or
Young & Roehr Group
Media Contact -
Ellen Berg, 503/222-0626 Ext. 504
eberg@young-roehr.com |
