PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 23, 2006--AVI BioPharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: AVII - News), today announced that the company has been selected for inclusion in the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index (NASDAQ: NBI - News), as of Monday, May 22, 2006. "Being included in the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index is a testament to our steady growth and achievements," said Alan P. Timmins, president and COO of AVI. "We will continue to execute on our goal to develop innovative infectious disease therapeutics and other antisense-based drugs intended to address unmet medical needs."