AVANIR Stock to Commence Trading on the NASDAQ National Market System

AVANIR Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:AVNR) announced that at
market open today, the Company's stock will resume trading on the
NASDAQ(R) National Market System under the new ticker symbol "AVNR"
and discontinue trading on the American Stock Exchange (AMEX) under
its previous ticker symbol "AVN.R."
   "We want to thank the AMEX for their strong support and
professionalism over the last six years," said Eric K. Brandt,
President and Chief Executive Officer of AVANIR. "Today's action
provides our shareholders with the additional benefits that come with
listing on NASDAQ. This change, along with the recent news of the
FDA's acceptance for filing and priority review designation of our
Neurodex new drug application, continues to make 2006 a very exciting
year for our Company."

   About AVANIR

   AVANIR Pharmaceuticals is focused on developing and
commercializing novel therapeutic products for the treatment of
chronic diseases. AVANIR's product candidates address therapeutic
markets that include central nervous system and cardiovascular
disorders, inflammation, and infectious diseases. AVANIR previously
announced positive results in the second of two required Phase III
clinical trials of Neurodex(TM), an investigational new drug for the
treatment of involuntary emotional expression disorder (IEED).
Additionally, AVANIR has initiated a Phase III clinical trial for
Neurodex as a potential treatment in patients with diabetic
neuropathic pain, a second indication for Neurodex. AVANIR has active
collaborations with two international pharmaceutical companies:
Novartis International Pharmaceutical Ltd., for the treatment of
inflammatory disease, and AstraZeneca, for the treatment of
cardiovascular disease. The Company's first commercialized product,
"abreva(R)," is marketed in North America by GlaxoSmithKline Consumer
Healthcare and is the leading over-the-counter product for the
treatment of cold sores. Further information about AVANIR can be found
at www.avanir.com.