News Release

Baxter and International Society of Nephrology Launch Renal Discoveries Extramural Grant Program to Promote Scientific Discovery in the Field of Kidney Disease

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., October 15, 2001 - Baxter Healthcare Corporation, in collaboration with the International Society of Nephrology (ISN), today announced the launch of Renal Discoveries, an extramural grant program designed to promote scientific advancement in the field of kidney disease.

The program continues Baxter's support of the study of kidney disease, including pathophysiology and treatment options, by building on an existing grant program that has distributed more than $25 million to 221 grant winners in 20 countries. It provides needed resources to enable scientific researchers to pursue broad, long-term basic and applied studies. Such studies are critical to enhancing the collective knowledge base on kidney disease and treatment.

"Renal Discoveries offers a solution for everyone involved," said Lee W. Henderson, M.D., F.A.C.P., the Extramural Grant Program's founder. "Industry needs answers and expertise. Academia can often provide them, but consistently needs funding. Our hope and our goal is that the patient becomes the ultimate winner, as he or she may benefit from new therapies developed as a result of this grant program."

Requests for proposals for the program's Round 1 topic, Inflammation and Kidney Disease, are being distributed worldwide to coincide with Renal Week 2001 and the World Congress of Nephrology meeting, held by the ISN and the American Society of Nephrology this week in San Francisco.

Renal Discoveries is modeled after grant programs managed by the United States National Institutes of Health, with topics announced twice each year and detailed writing instructions to guide applicants through the process. An independent medical advisory board, whose membership rotates to ensure breadth of scientific judgment, evaluates applications based on scientific merit.

The program offers grant levels of US $50,000 per year for three years of basic clinical research and US $75,000 per year for three years of applied clinical research. Those granted an applied clinical research award are eligible to apply for increased funding up to US $300,000 in years two and three. Round 1 applications are due by April 12, 2002.

"The ISN strongly encourages the participation of researchers everywhere," said Australia's Professor Robert C. Atkins, ISN's incoming president. "By applying for a grant, a researcher contributes to the advancement of knowledge and its clinical applicability, which will lead to more effective techniques for identifying and treating renal disease globally."

More information on Renal Discoveries and instructions for grant application can be found at www.baxter.com/egp and www.isn-online.org.

The International Society of Nephrology is a truly global organization. Its membership consists of individual kidney specialists in practically every country. It has more than 8,000 members worldwide. The Society's goal is the worldwide advancement of education, science and patient care in kidney disease.

Baxter is a leading provider of renal products and services worldwide. In 1956, the company introduced the first disposable coil dialyzer, a development that greatly enhanced the use and application of hemodialysis. Nearly 20 years later, Baxter was one of the first companies to introduce peritoneal dialysis.

Baxter Healthcare Corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Baxter International Inc., 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.

(Renal Discoveries is a trademark of Baxter International Inc.)

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

	Media Contact: Lisa Scheff, (847) 948-4107