AVII - Sector: Healthcare --- Industry: Biotechnology & Drugs

[setravis]

AP
AVI Drug Slows Pharmaceutical Breakdown
Thursday October 19, 10:51 am ET 
AVI BioPharma Study Shows Neugene Could Slow Breakdown of Other Drugs in the Body


PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Drug developer AVI BioPharma Inc. said Thursday a clinical trial of drug candidate Neugene may control the rate at which pharmaceuticals breakdown in the body.
The results from the study were presented at the annual meeting of the Oligonucleotide Therapeutics Society at Rockefeller University in New York.

Specifically, the study showed Neugene inhibited a metabolic enzyme responsible for the breakdown of about half of all currently marketed drugs. The findings mean the compound has the potential to reduce the amount of a drug needed for therapeutic results. Potential applications include treatments for HIV and hepatitis C, the company said.

Study results were taken from four clinical trials involving 128 people.

Shares of AVI rose 17 cents, or 4.5 percent, to $3.91 in the morning session on the Nasdaq.

**************************************************************



PORTLAND, Ore., Oct 19, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- AVI BioPharma, Inc. (AVII, Trade), today presented data and analysis from four NEUGENE(R) antisense clinical studies at the second annual meeting of the Oligonucleotide Therapeutics Society at Rockefeller University in New York. The studies showed that AVI-4557 inhibited the metabolic enzyme cytochrome P450 (CYP), a liver enzyme responsible for the metabolism or breakdown of approximately half of currently marketed drugs.

The clinical briefing, titled "Human Clinical Trials With AVI-4557 Targeting Cytochrome P450 3A4," will be presented by Patrick L. Iversen, Ph.D., senior vice president of research and development at AVI.

"This is an important collection of clinical studies that demonstrate NEUGENE AVI-4557 predictably alters the pharmacokinetic profile (PK) of two drugs in humans when administered via different routes, including oral administration," said Dr. Iversen. "Controlling the rate of drug metabolism and reducing its variability among patients has the potential to reduce the amount of drug needed to improve therapeutic results. Among the many potential applications of this approach is the treatment of HIV and HCV patients with protease inhibitors, which are primarily metabolized by CYP, the gene silenced by AVI-4557."

Cytochrome P450 comprises a family of enzymes that break down thousands of compounds in the body. CYP3A4, a subset of P450, is perhaps the most important and widely implicated enzyme in the arena of drug metabolism and disposition. AVI-4557 is a NEUGENE antisense drug designed to silence the expression of CYP3A4.

In a series of four human clinical trials involving 128 subjects, AVI showed inhibition of CYP3A4 using doses of AVI-4557 ranging from 10 mg to 300 mg as either single or repeated daily doses by intravenous, subcutaneous or oral routes of administration.

The study design included eight patients per cohort. Six patients received AVI-4557, while two received a placebo in each group. All patients were dosed with one of two well-known drugs that are metabolized by CYP3A4: buspirone (an anti-anxiety drug) or midazolam (an anesthetic drug). The PK profiles of each drug were determined before administration of AVI-4557 and again 24 hours and 72 hours after administration.

The efficacy endpoint of the study was the change in the PK of the two test drugs as measured by changes in the maximum concentration (Cmax), total concentration over time (AUC) and half-life. Significant changes in Cmax, AUC and half-life of the test drugs were observed following silencing of CYP3A4 with AVI-4557. An additional key endpoint of the studies was safety and tolerability of AVI-4557. No serious adverse events were seen in the study, and the drug's bioavailability was shown to be excellent.

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, Ebola virus and influenza A 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 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.

SOURCE: AVI BioPharma, Inc.


AVI Contact: 
AVI BioPharma, Inc. 
Michael Hubbard, 503-227-0554 
[email protected] 
or 
Investor Contacts: 
Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates Inc. 
Jody Cain or Brandi Floberg, 310-691-7100 
[email protected] 
[email protected] 
or 
Press Contact: 
Waggener Edstrom Worldwide 
Bioscience and Healthcare Practice 
Jenny Moede, 503-443-7000 
[email protected] 

Copyright Business Wire 2006 ********************************************************************** As of Sunday, 10-15-2006 23:59, the latest Comtex SmarTrend(SM) Alert, an automated pattern recognition system, indicated an UPTREND on 08-22-2006 for AVII @ $3.60. For more information on Comtex SmarTrend? Alert, contact your market data provider or go to CSTADirect.com SmarTrend is a registered trademark of Comtex News Network, Inc. Copyright ? 2004-2006 Comtex News Network, Inc. All rights reserved.

[setravis]

   Biotechnology & Drugs  (10 new highs today)
Sector:  Healthcare    Industry:  Biotechnology & Drugs.......Hot !

Symmetrical Triangle (Continuation) Pattern.....BreakOut !

52wk Range: 2.55 - 9.20

Volume: 2,412,367...........
Avg Vol (3m): 642,826

Technicals
MACD is Bullish
Stochastic is Bullish
Percentage Gainer

Last Price Quote is:
8.95%above 13-day MA
11.54%above 50-day MA
RS Rating: 92 

Fundamentals
Key Data:
Market Cap (M): $189.60 
P/E Ratio: NA 
PEG Ratio: N/A 
Next Earnings: 11/10/2006
Last Analyst Rating: Mkt Outperform


A study Reference for you on the pattern.
Symmetrical Triangle (Continuation)
The symmetrical triangle, which can also be referred to as a coil, usually forms during a trend as a continuation pattern. The pattern contains at least two lower highs and two higher lows. When these points are connected, the lines converge as they are extended and the symmetrical triangle takes shape. You could also think of it as a contracting wedge, wide at the beginning and narrowing over time

While there are instances when symmetrical triangles mark important trend reversals, they more often mark a continuation of the current trend. Regardless of the nature of the pattern, continuation or reversal, the direction of the next major move can only be determined after a valid breakout.

Edwards and Magee suggest that roughly 75% of symmetrical triangles are continuation patterns and the rest mark reversals. The reversal patterns can be especially difficult to analyze and often have false breakouts. Even so, we should not anticipate the direction of the breakout, but rather wait for it to happen. Further analysis should be applied to the breakout by looking for gaps, accelerated price movements, and volume for confirmation. Confirmation is especially important for upside breakouts.

Prices sometimes return to the breakout point of apex on a reaction move before resuming in the direction of the breakout. This return can offer a second chance to participate with a better reward to risk ratio. Potential reward price targets found by measurement and parallel trend line extension are only meant to act as rough guidelines. Technical analysis is dynamic and ongoing assessment is required

[setravis]

The chart is looking better and better....
Biotechnology & Drugs  (8 new highs today)

52wk Range: 2.55 - 9.20
Volume: 1,947,538
Avg Vol (3m): 666,405

Technicals
MACD is Bullish
Stochastic is Bullish
Percentage Gainer

Last Price Quote is:
15.50%above 13-day MA
19.22%above 50-day MA
RS Rating: 94 

Fundamentals
Key Data:
Market Cap (M): $189.60 
P/E Ratio: NA 
PEG Ratio: N/A 
Next Earnings: 11/10/2006
Last Analyst Rating: Mkt Outperform

[setravis]

Now that's what I'm talkin bout.....
Biotechnology & Drugs  (9 new highs today).....Hot !

Support @ $4.29...4.07...3.55
Resistance @ $4.96...7.26

52wk Range: 2.55 - 9.20
Volume: 2,092,997.................
Avg Vol (3m): 689,348

Technicals
Stochastic is Bullish
Percentage Gainer

Last Price Quote is:
24.64%above 13-day MA
30.52%above 50-day MA
RS Rating: 97 

Fundamentals
Key Data:
Market Cap (M): $189.60 
P/E Ratio: NA 
PEG Ratio: N/A 
Next Earnings: 11/10/2006
Last Analyst Rating: Mkt Outperform

[Melf Elf]

Down a nice 8.3% today, but no chance to execute my short at 5.03, below 5.07 DOUBLE resistance, for a  low-risk trade, at a very nice risk:reward.

5.07 is the post-Crash reaction high

5.07 also is the 200DMA

Most brokers won't allow us to get off a short on a stock that trades under 5.00.  Neither of mine will.  We also need an uptick to short, thus the plan to short 5.03, on a trip to 5.07, to allow some room to get filled.

The Bulls likely cottoned to the idea of a "Bear Raid" in the stock at DOUBLE resistance for a quick trade, and sold it off from well below 5.07 DOUBLE resistance, to protect profits, and to defend against it.

The high only got to 4.89 yesterday, before today's selloff.

Curses!     

[Melf Elf]

Down a nice 8.3% today, but no chance to execute my short at 5.03, below 5.07 DOUBLE resistance, for a  low-risk trade, at a very nice risk:reward.

Down 17.8% off its recent high, below 5.07 DOUBLE resistance.  AVII got a bounce near the Kijun-sen (solid red line...3.92), but sold off again into the close on news:

AVI BioPharma files $75 mln stock shelf offering


WASHINGTON, Oct 30 (Reuters) - AVI BioPharma Inc. (AVII.O: Quote, Profile, Research), a drug maker, on Monday said it plans to periodically sell up to $75 million in common and preferred stock and warrants.It plans to use the proceeds from the shelf offering for research and development and general corporate purposes, according to a shelf registration statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.Under a shelf registration, a company may sell securities in one or more separate offerings with the size, price and terms to be determined at the time of sale.

© Reuters 2006. All Rights Reserved.

[la-onda]

out @ 3.23$ 

applaud Setravis & MelfElf

[Melf Elf]

Bought AVII at 3.71.  Stop: A close or late day tank below 3.56.  Risk: a loss of about 5%

Down 17.8% off its recent high, below 5.07 DOUBLE resistance.  AVII got a bounce near the Kijun-sen (solid red line...3.92), but sold off again into the close on news:

AVII now is down 24% off the 4.89 high, and has been in a dead drop from that DOUBLE resistance area, at 5.07 . 

It's come into an area of horizontal price support, as well as support from the Kumo (Cloud) just below here, at 3.70 to 3.565.  If that isn't support, I'll sell.

[tokyopua]

Just got in at 3.75 upon seeing the little green candle trying to get back above the 50sma.  Holding most of my portfolio in bird flu stocks now.

[Melf Elf]

Just got in at 3.75 upon seeing the little green candle trying to get back above the 50sma.  Holding most of my portfolio in bird flu stocks now.

tok,

We've got a channel breakout here, and also a print of Friday's high, at 3.88.  That sets up the top of a possible Bullish Ascending Triangle breakout

Bought AVII at 3.71 . Stop: A close or late day tank below 3.56. Risk: a loss of about 5%

This morning's low is 3.72, so given the channel breakout,  I'm raising my stop to a print of 3.71, which also is my entry, so that would give me a break even on the trade. 

The 34/55 RSIs came into Bullish Synchronicity on Thursday, so a print of 3.83, above Thursday's 3.82 high, was a Buy Signal.  Some kind of low "should be" in,  at last Thurday's 3.65 low. 

If this morning's low gets broken, I'm not interested in a ride back into the channel, or possibly lower. 

[Melf Elf]

We've got a channel breakout here, and also a print of Friday's high, at 3.88.  That sets up the top of a possible Bullish Ascending Triangle breakout

tok,

There's our Ascending Triangle breakout, on the print of 3.89.  Target: 4.11 is IN PLAY.

Math:

3.88 - Highs of the Ascending Triangle

3.65 - Low of the Ascending Triangle

3.88 - 3.65 = 0.23 Points + 3.88 = Target: 4.11

I'll sell at least ½ my position at/near there, if we get it.

Good luck!

[Melf Elf]

tok,

There's our Ascending Triangle breakout, on the print of 3.89.  Target: 4.11 is IN PLAY.

Sold ½ my AVII at 4.12 when the 4.11 target MADE.  Gain: 11%

They gave me a nice fill of an extra penny. 

[tokyopua]

tok,

There's our Ascending Triangle breakout, on the print of 3.89.  Target: 4.11 is IN PLAY.

Sold ½ my AVII at 4.12 when the 4.11 target MADE.  Gain: 11%

They gave me a nice fill of an extra penny. 

Melf,

Doh, I didnt see your post, and I hadnt put in a stop on AVII.  As you can guess, I wish I had, lol!  Need to be more DISCIPLINED.  David coincidentally just suggested a book called The Disciplined trader, I will read it within this month without fail.  Anyway, good trade for you, another surgically precise move, by the stock surgeon, applaud!

[Melf Elf]

Sold remaining ½ position in AVII yesterday morning at 3.83.  Gain: 3.2%

Gain on the trade: 7.1%

Anyway, good trade for you, another surgically precise move, by the stock surgeon, applaud!

tok,

As you know, it sure doesn't always work out that precisely, but thank you. 

After the 4.11 target MADE,  in seconds we got 4.12...4.13, then that was hit.  They pulled the plug on it.

When both 3.88 and 3.82 got taken down yesterday morning,  I didn't see any point in hanging on for my break even stop on the remaining ½ position, at 3.71.  I sold late morning at 3.83 (chart below) on the minor rally attermpt, back to 3.88.

Sorry that I couldn't post you on it.  3SOF site was down.

[setravis]

AP
AVI BioPharma Gets $28M Defense Pact
Monday December 4, 10:25 am ET 
AVI BioPharma Receives $28 Million Defense Pact to Study Treatments of Ebola, Marburg Viruses


PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Drug developer AVI BioPharma Inc. said Monday it received a separate two-year $28 million research contract from the Pentagon to study deadly pandemic viruses.
The contract, awarded by Fort Belvoir, Va.-based Defense Threat Reduction Agency, will provide funds to study therapeutic treatments to treat the effects of Ebola, Marburg and Junin hemorrhagic viruses, which may be used in biological warfare and bioterrorism agents.


The $28 billion contract is separate from a previously announced DTRA contract worth $11 million awarded as part of the Defense Appropriations Act to conduct research on infectious diseases with U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases.

In 2005, the company booked $4.8 million in sales.

Shares of AVI gained 34 cents, or 9.2 percent, to $3.92 in morning trading on the Nasdaq. Over the past year, the stock has traded between $2.55 and $9.20, and is up 4 percent year-to-date.