News Release

CERUS AND BAXTER INITIATE CLINICAL SITE IN PIVOTAL PHASE III TRIAL FOR INTERCEPT RED BLOOD CELL SYSTEM

CONCORD, Calif., and DEERFIELD, Ill., January 9, 2002 -- Cerus Corporation (Nasdaq: CERS) and Baxter Healthcare Corporation today announced they have initiated the first clinical trial site for their pivotal Phase III clinical trial of the INTERCEPT Red Blood Cell System and have received Institutional Review Board (IRB) approvals at two other clinical trial sites. Last quarter, the companies received U.S. Food and Drug Administration concurrence on this acute protocol, and with IRB approvals now in place, the first transfusions are expected to begin shortly. The INTERCEPT Red Blood Cell System is being developed to protect against transmission of infectious diseases through red blood cell transfusions.

"Initiating the first clinical trial site for this Phase III trial is a significant milestone and clearly demonstrates our leadership in addressing the substantial red blood cell market," said Stephen T. Isaacs, president and chief executive officer of Cerus. "We maintain a unique position in the industry with the INTERCEPT Blood Systems, the only technology in late-stage development for all three blood components: platelets, plasma and red blood cells."

The multi-center, double-blind, randomized Phase III protocol is expected to enroll approximately 200 patients requiring acute red blood cell support as a result of cardiac surgery. The primary endpoint of the trial is a comparison of the clinical performance of INTERCEPT red blood cells to control red blood cells, which are not prepared with a pathogen inactivation process.

The acute Phase III protocol is one of two pivotal trials the company intends to conduct for the INTERCEPT Red Blood Cell System. The second trial, which is expected to be initiated shortly, will be a 50 patient trial to compare the use of INTERCEPT red blood cells to control red blood cells in support of patients with chronic anemia due to hereditary disorders such as sickle cell disease or thalassemia.

Red blood cells are disc-shaped cells containing hemoglobin, which enables the cells to deliver oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. Red blood cells are the most frequently transfused blood component, with an estimated 30 million units being transfused each year in North America, Europe and Japan. Patients typically receive red blood cell transfusions to offset blood loss after severe accidents and during surgery, or to increase hemoglobin levels in patients with anemia.

Cerus and Baxter are collaborating on the development of INTERCEPT Blood Systems to enhance the safety of blood transfusions. In addition to the INTERCEPT Red Blood Cell System, Cerus and Baxter are developing pathogen inactivation systems for platelets and plasma. A CE Mark application seeking European approval for the INTERCEPT Platelet System has been submitted and the companies have begun the regulatory submission process in the United States. The companies are preparing to begin the US regulatory submission process for the INTERCEPT Plasma System, which will be followed by a CE Mark application for this product.

ABOUT CERUS
Cerus Corporation is developing medical systems and therapeutics based on its proprietary Helinxä technology for controlling biological replication. Cerus' most advanced programs are focused on systems to enhance the safety of blood products used for transfusion. The INTERCEPT Blood Systems, based on the company's Helinx technology, are designed to inactivate viruses, bacteria, other pathogens and white blood cells. The Concord, California-based company also is pursuing therapeutic applications of Helinx technology to treat and prevent serious diseases.

ABOUT BAXTER
Baxter Healthcare Corporation is the principal domestic operating subsidiary of Baxter International Inc. (NYSE: BAX). Baxter is a global medical products and services company that, through its subsidiaries, provides critical therapies for people with life-threatening conditions. The company's products and services in bioscience (biopharmaceuticals, vaccines, biosurgery and transfusion therapies), medication delivery and renal therapy are used by health-care providers and their patients more than 100 countries.

Helinx is a trademark of Cerus Corporation
INTERCEPT Blood System, INTERCEPT Platelet System, INTERCEPT Plasma System and INTERCEPT Red Blood Cell System are trademarks of Baxter International Inc.

Statements in this news release regarding clinical trials, regulatory filings, product development and product potential are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from the above forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including the risks and uncertainty of the timing and results of clinical trials and other development activities, actions by regulatory authorities at any stage of the development process, additional financing activities, market acceptance of any products, competitive conditions and other factors discussed in the companies' most recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

	Media Contacts: Sylvia Wheeler Director, Corporate Communications Cerus Corporation (925) 288-6061 Margaret Shubny Director, Corporate Communications Baxter Healthcare Corporation (847) 948-3951