MediciNova, Inc. and Avigen, Inc. Confirm Stockholder Election Deadline

SAN DIEGO and ALAMEDA, Calif., Dec. 15, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MediciNova, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company that is publicly traded on the Nasdaq Global Market (Nasdaq:MNOV) and the Hercules Market of the Osaka Securities Exchange (Code Number:4875) and Avigen, Inc. (Nasdaq:AVGN), a biopharmaceutical company, confirmed today that, as previously announced, Avigen stockholders that wish to make an election with respect to the merger consideration to be received in the proposed acquisition by MediciNova of Avigen must deliver a properly completed election form to American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC by 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on December 17, 2009 (the "Election Deadline"), the day of the Special Meeting of Avigen stockholders.