{1} Symposium On Gene Therapy For CNS Disorders To Be Webcast

ALAMEDA, Calif., Jan. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Avigen, Inc. a leader in the development of gene-based therapies for serious chronic conditions, announced that it will conduct an audio webcast of its CNS symposium being held next Monday, February 2 between 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm (EST). The symposium entitled "Gene Therapy and CNS Disorders: New Treatment Paradigms Addressing Old Line Illnesses" will feature leading academic and Avigen scientists, doctors and clinicians presenting an overview of their current research and clinical plans in Parkinson's Disease and Neuropathic Pain.

In addition to Coagulin-B(R), Avigen's proprietary gene therapy product for the treatment of hemophilia B, the company recently announced the strategic expansion of its product development portfolio into selected diseases of the central nervous system (CNS). To that end, after extensive preclinical research, Avigen filed an Investigational New Drug (IND) application seeking clearance to begin clinical testing of AV201, a gene therapy product for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. In addition, Avigen has obtained an exclusive license to new technology for the treatment of severe chronic pain. This approach represents a new paradigm in understanding the genesis and nature of severe chronic pain, with demonstrated success in treating neuropathic pain in established animal models. The Avigen symposium will review the new Avigen programs and the potential they represent for the millions of patients who suffer from these conditions.

To listen to the webcast follow this URL link: http://www.vcall.com/CEPage.asp?ID=85655 .

  Confirmed speakers (and topics) for the symposium include:

  -- John Monahan, Ph.D., Avigen's President and CEO
        (Company Overview)
  -- Michael Aminoff, M.D., D.Sc., Professor of Neurology and Director of
     the Parkinson's Disease Clinic and Clinical Research Center, University
     of California San Francisco.  Dr. Aminoff is also the Principal
     Investigator for Avigen's proposed clinical trial of AV201 for the
     treatment of Parkinson's disease:
        (Parkinson's Disease and Problems with Current Treatment Options)
  -- John Forsayeth, Ph.D., Avigen's Director of Neurobiology:
        (The AV201 Parkinson's Program)
  -- Dawn McGuire, M.D., Avigen's Chief Medical Officer:
        (Chronic Neuropathic Pain and Challenges with Current Treatments)
  -- Linda Watkins, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Psychology, Director of
     the Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, University of Colorado at
     Boulder:
        (A Novel Approach for Treatment of Neuropathic Pain Using IL-10
        Based Gene Therapy)

  About Avigen

Avigen, Inc., based in the San Francisco Bay Area, focuses on the development of DNA-based drugs for serious chronic conditions. Avigen's proposed gene delivery products are designed for direct administration to patients in order to achieve expression of therapeutic proteins within the body. The company is actively enrolling subjects in its clinical trial for Coagulin-B(R), Avigen's Factor IX gene therapy product for hemophilia B, currently being conducted at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Stanford University Medical Center. Patients or physicians who would like more information about enrollment criteria and the study should contact the Clinical Development Department at clinicaltrials@avigen.com or call at 877-4-AVIGEN (4284436). Additional information on Avigen's proprietary gene delivery products can be found at http://www.avigen.com/

Investors Please Note: The statements in this news release regarding the potential of gene therapy are forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from current expectations due to a variety of factors, including the difficulty of obtaining required regulatory approvals. In addition, there are many other risks and uncertainties inherent in the development of gene therapy products. Other risks relating to Avigen are detailed in Avigen's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2003, under the caption "Risk Factors" in Item 2 of Part 1 of that report, which was filed with the SEC on November 13, 2003.

Avigen, Inc.