News Release

BAXTER INTERNATIONAL NAMES CHIEF SCIENTIFIC OFFICER

DEERFIELD, Ill., March 26, 2001 - Baxter International Inc. (NYSE: BAX) announced today the appointment of Norbert G. Riedel to chief scientific officer (CSO). The new position was created to provide leadership and strategic direction for Baxter's global scientific initiatives across the company. Riedel was most recently president of Baxter's recombinant business unit.

"This is a very significant appointment for Baxter," said Harry M. Jansen Kraemer, Jr., Baxter chairman and chief executive officer. "Norbert brings the global insight, scientific knowledge and world-class business experience necessary to foster innovation and enhance our scientific capabilities around the world. His role will significantly contribute to our future growth."

One of Riedel's chief responsibilities as CSO is to harness Baxter's company-wide scientific resources and initiatives in order to provide an ongoing rich pipeline of new products and therapies.

"This is an extraordinary time to be part of the Baxter team," said Riedel. "The opportunities we have to develop and improve upon life-saving therapies are enormous, and I look forward to working with the executive management team and my colleagues in the various business units in order to help Baxter achieve its growth potential."

Prior to joining Baxter in 1998, Riedel, 43, was head of worldwide biotechnology and core research functions at Hoechst Marion Roussel, with major responsibilities for drug discovery technology platforms, therapeutic proteins and gene therapy. He serves on the boards of directors of Genencor International Inc., Genome Therapeutics Corporation and MediGene AG. Riedel is a member of the German Association of Biotechnology Companies, and a member of the board of directors of the Biotechnology Industry Organization.

Riedel received his Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of Frankfurt in 1983. He was a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University from 1984-1987, and assistant professor and associate professor of medicine and biochemistry at Boston University School of Medicine from 1987-1991, and a visiting professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1992. He remains affiliated with Boston University as an adjunct professor.

Baxter International Inc. is a global medical products and services company that, through its subsidiaries, provides critical therapies for people with life-threatening conditions. Baxter's products and services in bioscience (biopharmaceuticals, vaccines, biosurgery products and transfusion therapies), medication delivery and renal therapy are used by health-care providers and their patients in more than 100 countries.

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