-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 brSoU6xoGbpHH8ycrUnMCw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001233840-08-000039.txt : 20081110
<SEC-HEADER>0001233840-08-000039.hdr.sgml : 20081110
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20081110173154
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001233840-08-000039
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20081106
FILED AS OF DATE:		20081110
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20081110

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			AVIGEN INC \DE
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000932903
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	IN VITRO & IN VIVO DIAGNOSTIC SUBSTANCES [2835]
		IRS NUMBER:				133647119
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1301 HARBOR BAY PARKWAY
		STREET 2:		.
		CITY:			ALAMEDA
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94502
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5107487150

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1301 HARBOR BAY PARKWAY
		CITY:			ALAMEDA
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94502

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BVF INC/IL
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001056807
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-28272
		FILM NUMBER:		081177139

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE SANSOME ST
		STREET 2:		39TH FLOOR
		CITY:			SAN FRANCISCO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94104
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3125066500

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O GROSVENOR CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
		STREET 2:		900 N. MICHIGAN AVENUE, SUITE 1100
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60611

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BVF INVESTMENTS LLC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001132245
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-28272
		FILM NUMBER:		081177140

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE SANSOME ST. 39TH FL
		CITY:			SAN FRANCISCO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94104
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3125066500

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O GROSVENOR CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LP
		STREET 2:		900 N. MICHIGAN AVENUE, SUITE 1100
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60611

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BIOTECHNOLOGY VALUE FUND II LP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001102444
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-28272
		FILM NUMBER:		081177141

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE SANSOME ST
		STREET 2:		39TH FL.
		CITY:			SAN FRANCISCO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94104
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3125066500

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O GROSVENOR CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
		STREET 2:		900 N. MICHIGAN AVENUE, SUITE 1100
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60611

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BIOTECHNOLOGY VALUE FUND L P
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000918923
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	INVESTMENT ADVICE [6282]
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-28272
		FILM NUMBER:		081177142

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		900 N. MICHIGAN AVENUE, SUITE 1100
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60611
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3125066500

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		900 N. MICHIGAN AVENUE, SUITE 1100
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60611

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BVF PARTNERS L P/IL
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001055947

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-28272
		FILM NUMBER:		081177143

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE SANSOME ST
		STREET 2:		39TH FL
		CITY:			SAN FRANCISCO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94104
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3125066500

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		900 N. MICHIGAN AVENUE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 1100
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60611
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-11-06</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000932903</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>AVIGEN INC \DE</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>AVGN</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001055947</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BVF PARTNERS L P/IL</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>ONE SANSOME STREET, 31ST FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN FRANCISCO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94104</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Indirect Beneficial Owner</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000918923</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BIOTECHNOLOGY VALUE FUND L P</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>900 N. MICHIGAN AVE., SUITE 1100</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CHICAGO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60611</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Direct Beneficial Owner</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001102444</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BIOTECHNOLOGY VALUE FUND II LP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>900 N. MICHIGAN AVE., SUITE 1100</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CHICAGO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60611</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Direct Beneficial Owner</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001132245</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BVF INVESTMENTS LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>900 N. MICHIGAN AVE., SUITE 1100</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CHICAGO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60611</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Direct Beneficial Owner</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001056807</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BVF INC/IL</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>ONE SANSOME STREET, 31ST FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN FRANCISCO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94104</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Indirect Beneficial Owner</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-11-06</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>21100</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>.7091</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>7803515</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See footnotes</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-11-06</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>14000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>.7091</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>7817515</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See footnotes</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-11-06</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>52000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>.7091</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>7869515</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See footnotes</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-11-07</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>9400</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>.7245</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>7878915</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See footnotes</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-11-07</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>7000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>.7245</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>7885915</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See footnotes</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-11-07</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>24000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>.7245</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>7909915</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See footnotes</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The shares reported in this response are indirectly beneficially owned by BVF Partners L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (&quot;Partners&quot;), the designated filer of this joint filing on Form 4, and by its general partner, BVF Inc., a Delaware corporation (&quot;BVF Inc.&quot;), which is also an investment advisor to Partners. Partners is the general partner of Biotechnology Value Fund, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (&quot;BVF, L.P.&quot;) and Biotechnology Value Fund II, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (&quot;BVF2, L.P.&quot;), both investment limited partnerships. Partners also is the manager of BVF Investments, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (&quot;Investments&quot;). Pursuant to the operating agreement of Investments, Partners is authorized, among other things, to invest the funds of Ziff Asset Management, L.P., the majority member of Investments, in the shares of Common Stock reported in Table I as being beneficially owned by Investments.</footno
te>
        <footnote id="F2">Mark N. Lampert is the sole shareholder and sole director of BVF Inc., and is an officer of BVF Inc. This joint filing on Form 4 shall not be deemed an admission that Mark N. Lampert is, for purposes of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise, the beneficial owner of any equity securities covered by this joint filing.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Shares directly beneficially owned by BVF, L.P.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Shares directly beneficially owned by BVF2, L.P.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">Shares directly beneficially owned by Investments.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">Total amount of shares indirectly beneficially owned by Partners and BVF Inc.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>BVF Partners L.P., By: BVF Inc., its GP, By: /s/ Mark N. Lampert</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-11-10</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>BIOTECHNOLOGY VALUE FUND, L.P. By: BVF Partners L.P., its GP, By: BVF Inc., By: /s/ Mark N. Lampert</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-11-10</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>BIOTECHNOLOGY VALUE FUND II, L.P., By: BVF Partners L.P., its GP, By: BVF Inc., By: /s/ Mark N. Lampert</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-11-10</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>BVF INVESTMENTS, L.L.C., By: BVF Partners L.P., its Manager, By: BVF Inc., By: /s/ Mark N. Lampert</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-11-10</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>BVF INC., By: /s/ Mark N. Lampert</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-11-10</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----