Item 8.01. Other Events

On March 24, 2009, MediciNova, Inc. ("MediciNova") issued a press release (the "Press Release") containing a letter from Yuichi Iwaki, M.D., Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of MediciNova, to the Board of Directors of Avigen, Inc. ("Avigen"), whereby Dr. Iwaki asked the Board of Directors of Avigen (1) to provide the requested due diligence materials to MediciNova so that MediciNova could refine and improve the terms of its offer for a proposed merger with Avigen; (2) to direct Avigen's financial advisor to withhold delivering any future "inadequacy" opinions regarding MediciNova's proposed offer until after MediciNova has provided its final proposal; and (3) to direct Avigen's management to provide MediciNova a 10-day period to review the requested due diligence materials and to not enter into a merger agreement with another party during such period. Attached as Exhibit 99.1 hereto is a copy of the Press Release.

The information in this Current Report on Form 8-K, including Exhibit 99.1 furnished herewith, is being furnished and shall not be deemed "filed" for any purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of such Section. The information in this Current Report on Form 8-K shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits.

99.1 Press Release dated March 24, 2009.

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