Healthcare >> CEO Interviews >> October 17, 2003

Denis Burger – Avi Biopharma Inc (avii)

DENIS R. BURGER has been Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AVI BioPharma, Inc., since 1996. Previously he was President and Chief Operating Officer since joining the company in 1992. In addition, Dr. Burger currently serves on the Board of Directors of Trinity Biotech Plc in Ireland and has been a Board member or co-Founder of seven other biotech companies. Dr. Burger was a faculty member at Oregon Health Sciences University for 18 years starting in 1969 and was Professor of Microbiology and Immunology from 1983 to 1989. He has published over 100 manuscripts in medical and scientific journals. Dr. Burger received his AB degree in Bacteriology and Immunology from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1965 and his PhD in Microbiology and Immunology in 1969. Profile
TWST: Could we begin with a brief historical sketch of AVI BioPharma and

a picture of things as they are now?

Dr. Burger: The company was founded in 1980 on the concept that the gene

could be