AVANIR Pharmaceuticals Invites Investors to the 24th Annual JPMorgan Healthcare Conference Webcast

AVANIR Pharmaceuticals (AMEX:AVN) will be presenting at
the 24th Annual JPMorgan Healthcare Conference on Wednesday, January
11, 2005, at 4:00 p.m. PT in San Francisco. AVANIR's President and
Chief Executive Officer, Eric Brandt, will be presenting at the
investor conference.
   The presentation will be available via a live webcast accessible
through AVANIR's corporate website at www.avanir.com. To access the
webcasts, log on to AVANIR's site fifteen minutes prior to the
presentation to register and download any necessary audio software.
Archived versions of the presentations will be available until
February 12, 2006.
   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 pseudobulbar affect. Additionally, AVANIR has initiated a
Phase III clinical trial for Neurodex as a potential treatment for
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.

   The information contained in this press release, including any
forward-looking statements contained herein, should be reviewed in
conjunction with the company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K
and other publicly available information regarding the company. Copies
of such information are available from the company upon request. Such
publicly available information sets forth many risks and uncertainties
related to the company's business and technology. Forward-looking
statements often contain such words like "estimate," "anticipate,"
"believe," "plan" or "expect." The company disclaims any intent or
obligation to update these forward-looking statements. Final review
decisions made by the FDA and other regulatory agencies concerning
clinical trial results are unpredictable and outside the influence
and/or control of the company.