AVI BioPharma, Inc. (AVI) is a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the discovery and development of ribonucleic acid (RNA)-based drugs targeting a range of diseases. The Company has developed and optimized derivatives of its antisense chemistry (phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PMOs)) that can be designed to target disease mechanisms through mechanisms of action. The applications of AVI’s RNA technology platform include genetic diseases (Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD)), infectious diseases (Ebola and Marburg viruses), cardiovascular disease (restenosis) and other early discovery targets. Several of its antiviral programs, including Ebola, Marburg, Junin and Dengue, have been or are funded by the United States government, and other governmental and non-governmental funding. On March 20, 2008, the Company acquired Ercole Biotechnology, Inc. (Ercole).