UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 13D

(Rule 13d-101)

INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED PURSUANT

TO § 240.13d-1(a) AND AMENDMENTS THERETO FILED PURSUANT TO

§ 240.13d-2(a)

(Amendment No. 9)1

Avigen, Inc.

(Name of Issuer)

Common Stock, $0.001 par value

(Title of Class of Securities)

053690103

(CUSIP Number)

ELIZABETH DELANEY

BVF PARTNERS L.P.

900 North Michigan Avenue

Suite 1100

Chicago, Illinois 60611

(312) 506-6500

ADAM W. FINERMAN, ESQ.

OLSHAN GRUNDMAN FROME ROSENZWEIG & WOLOSKY LLP

Park Avenue Tower

65 East 55th Street

New York, New York 10022

(212) 451-2300

(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person

Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)

December 18, 2009

(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of This Statement)

If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of §§ 240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box ¨.

Note:  Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits.  See § 240.13d-7 for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.

_______________

1              The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

CUSIP NO. 053690103

1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSON BIOTECHNOLOGY VALUE FUND, L.P.
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP		(a) x   (b) o
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	SOURCE OF FUNDS
5	CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)		¨
6	CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION DELAWARE
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH	7	SOLE VOTING POWER - 0 -
	8	SHARED VOTING POWER - 0 -
	9	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER - 0 -
	10	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER - 0 -
11	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON - 0 -
12	CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES		o
13	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 0%
14	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON PN

2

CUSIP NO. 053690103

1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSON BIOTECHNOLOGY VALUE FUND II, L.P.
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP		(a) x   (b) o
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	SOURCE OF FUNDS
5	CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)		¨
6	CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION DELAWARE
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH	7	SOLE VOTING POWER - 0 -
	8	SHARED VOTING POWER - 0 -
	9	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER - 0 -
	10	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER - 0 -
11	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON - 0 -
12	CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES		o
13	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 0%
14	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON PN

3

CUSIP NO. 053690103

1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSON BVF INVESTMENTS, L.L.C.
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP		(a) x   (b) o
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	SOURCE OF FUNDS
5	CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)		¨
6	CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION DELAWARE
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH	7	SOLE VOTING POWER - 0 -
	8	SHARED VOTING POWER - 0 -
	9	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER - 0 -
	10	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER - 0 -
11	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON - 0 -
12	CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES		o
13	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 0%
14	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON OO

4

CUSIP NO. 053690103

1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSON INVESTMENT 10, L.L.C.
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP		(a) x   (b) o
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	SOURCE OF FUNDS
5	CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)		¨
6	CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION ILLINOIS
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH	7	SOLE VOTING POWER - 0 -
	8	SHARED VOTING POWER - 0 -
	9	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER - 0 -
	10	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER - 0 -
11	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON -0-
12	CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES		o
13	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 0%
14	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON OO

5

CUSIP NO. 053690103

1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSON BVF PARTNERS L.P.
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP		(a) x   (b) o
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	SOURCE OF FUNDS
5	CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)		¨
6	CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION DELAWARE
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH	7	SOLE VOTING POWER - 0 -
	8	SHARED VOTING POWER - 0 -
	9	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER - 0 -
	10	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER - 0 -
11	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON - 0 -
12	CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES		o
13	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 0%
14	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON PN, IA

6

CUSIP NO. 053690103

1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSON BVF INC.
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP		(a) x   (b) o
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	SOURCE OF FUNDS
5	CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)		¨
6	CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION DELAWARE
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH	7	SOLE VOTING POWER - 0 -
	8	SHARED VOTING POWER - 0 -
	9	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER - 0 -
	10	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER - 0 -
11	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON - 0 -
12	CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES		o
13	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 0%
14	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON       CO

7

CUSIP NO. 053690103

1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSON MARK N. LAMPERT
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP		(a) x   (b) o
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	SOURCE OF FUNDS
5	CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)		¨
6	CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION USA
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH	7	SOLE VOTING POWER - 0 -
	8	SHARED VOTING POWER - 0 -
	9	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER - 0 -
	10	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER - 0 -
11	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON - 0 -
12	CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES		o
13	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 0%
14	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON IN

8

CUSIP NO. 053690103

The following constitutes Amendment No. 9 (“Amendment No. 9”) to the Schedule 13D filed by the undersigned (the “Schedule 13D”).  This Amendment No. 9 amends the Schedule 13D as specifically set forth.

Item 3. Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration.

                               Item 3 is hereby amended and restated to read as follows:

As described in Item 5 below, on December 18, 2009, the Reporting Persons ceased to beneficially own any shares of Common Stock of the Issuer.

Item 5. Interest in Securities of the Issuer.

Items 5(a-b) and (d) are hereby amended and restated to read as follows:

(a)-(d)           Effective December 18, 2009, Absolute Merger, Inc. (“Absolute”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of MediciNova, Inc. (“MediciNova”), merged with and into the Issuer, with the Issuer continuing as the surviving entity and wholly-owned subsidiary of MediciNova, pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of August 20, 2009, by and among MediciNova, Absolute Merger, Inc. and the Issuer (the “Merger Agreement”).  Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, the Reporting Persons converted their shares of Common Stock into secured convertible notes to be issued by MediciNova with a face value equal to approximately $1.19 per share of Common Stock and an amount equal to the remaining balance in an escrow account following satisfaction of certain demand amounts, and one contingent payment right granting the holder thereof certain rights.  Accordingly, the Reporting Persons no longer beneficially own any securities of the Issuer.

Item 5(c) is hereby amended to add the following:

(c)           Transactions in the Common Stock by the Reporting Persons during the past 60 days:

			BVF	ILL10	BVF2	BVLLC
Date of Transaction	Type of Securities	Price Per Share					Type of Transaction
11/18/09	Common Stock	$1.5000	(626)	None	None	None	SALE

Item 5(e) is hereby amended and restated to read as follows:

(e)           As of December 18, 2009, the Reporting Persons ceased to be the beneficial owners of more than 5% of the shares of Common Stock of the Issuer.

9

CUSIP NO. 053690103

SIGNATURES

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of his knowledge and belief, each of the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

Dated:  December 24, 2009

BIOTECHNOLOGY VALUE FUND, L.P.		INVESTMENT 10, L.L.C.
By:	BVF Partners L.P., its general partner	By:	BVF Partners L.P., its investment manager
By:	BVF Inc., its general partner	By:	BVF Inc., its general partner
By:	/s/ Mark N. Lampert	By:	/s/ Mark N. Lampert
	Mark N. Lampert		Mark N. Lampert
	President		President
BIOTECHNOLOGY VALUE FUND II, L.P.		BVF PARTNERS L.P.
		By:	BVF Inc., its general partner
By:	BVF Partners L.P., its general partner
		By:	/s/ Mark N. Lampert
By:	BVF Inc., its general partner		Mark N. Lampert
			President
By:	/s/ Mark N. Lampert
	Mark N. Lampert	BVF INC.
	President
		By:	/s/ Mark N. Lampert
			Mark N. Lampert
BVF INVESTMENTS, L.L.C.
By:	BVF Partners L.P., its manager
By:	BVF Inc., its general partner
By:	/s/ Mark N. Lampert
	Mark N. Lampert
	President
/s/ Mark N. Lampert
MARK N. LAMPERT

10