-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Iw+OXfbHyhM1xImXP0bCBRvBCk9SJHfsEv+myIRucM3nh+jaePOFMv/gGmSMMhu4
 YpdhQiaK+uLDOpAxD5dXmQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000873303-11-000006.txt : 20110110
<SEC-HEADER>0000873303-11-000006.hdr.sgml : 20110110
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20110110154127
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000873303-11-000006
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20110110
FILED AS OF DATE:		20110110
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20110110

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Toshav Bracha Ephrat
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001509362

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-14895
		FILM NUMBER:		11520129

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3450 MONTE VILLA PARKWAY
		CITY:			BOTHELL
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			98021

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			AVI BIOPHARMA INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000873303
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS [2834]
		IRS NUMBER:				930797222
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			OR
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3450 MONTE VILLA PARKWAY
		STREET 2:		SUITE 101
		CITY:			BOTHELL
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			98021
		BUSINESS PHONE:		425-354-5038

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3450 MONTE VILLA PARKWAY
		STREET 2:		SUITE 101
		CITY:			BOTHELL
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			98021

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	ANTIVIRALS INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19970123
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgardoc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0203</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2011-01-10</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000873303</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>AVI BIOPHARMA INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>AVII</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001509362</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Toshav Bracha Ephrat</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>3450 MONTE VILLA PARKWAY, SUITE 101</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BOTHELL</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>WA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>98021</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Sr VP &amp; General Counsel</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: Melinda Miles  For: Bracha Ephrat Toshav</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2011-01-10</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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