News Release

BAXTER LAUNCHES NEW LEUKOREDUCTION FILTER FOR WHOLE BLOOD

DEERFIELD, Ill., January 23, 2001 - Baxter Healthcare Corporation announced today that it has launched its new Sepacell RZ-2000 leukoreduction filter for use with whole blood for transfusion. The RZ-2000 is used to remove white blood cells from a unit of whole blood. White blood cells are associated with the transmission of certain infectious diseases and the development of immune reactions in transfusion recipients.

The RZ-2000 can be used to filter warm fresh blood and does not require blood to reach ambient or refrigerated temperatures before filtration. This flexibility in the temperature of the product to be filtered has the potential to facilitate more efficient operations in blood collection and processing facilities. The RZ-2000 is one of several products in Baxter's portfolio of leukoreduction products for use with red blood cells, platelets, or whole blood.

Leukoreduction, the removal of white blood cells, may be performed in the blood-processing center or at the transfusion recipient's bedside. The objective of the process is to remove white blood cells, which may trigger transfusion reactions including, fever, chills and immune reactions that limit the effectiveness of subsequent transfusions. Additionally, white blood cells are associated with the transmission of certain infectious diseases, such as cytomegalovirus (CMV), which may not elicit any illness in healthy individuals, but may be fatal in patients with suppressed immune systems, such as cancer patients.

Baxter markets leukoreduction systems as part of its ongoing commitment to provide products that enhance the safety and quality of the blood supply. The company also markets automated and manual blood-collection systems and other transfusion related products. In an effort to further enhance the safety of blood transfusions, Baxter, in collaboration with Cerus Corporation, is developing pathogen inactivation systems for use with red blood cells, platelets and plasma for transfusion.

It is estimated that 13 million units of whole blood are donated annually in the United States and are transfused to approximately 4 million recipients. Approximately 32,000 pints of blood are transfused each day in the United States.

Baxter Healthcare Corporation is the principal U.S. operating subsidiary of Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX). Baxter International Inc. is a global medical products and services company that provides critical therapies for people with life-threatening conditions. Baxter's products and services in bioscience (biopharmaceuticals and blood collection, separation, and storage devices), medication delivery and renal therapy are used by health-care providers and their patients in more than 100 countries.

Sepacell is a registered trademark of Asahi Medical Corporation.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

	Media Contacts: Margaret Stanford Shubny, (847) 948-3951   Investor Contacts: Mary Kay Ladone, (847) 948-3371 Neville Jeharajah, (847) 948-2875