News Release

Exclusive Data Presented at FDA Public Forum

Deerfield, Ill, November 5, 2002 - Baxter Healthcare Corporation today presented the first data that verifies the inactivation of West Nile Virus (WNV) during the processes routinely used in the production of its plasma-derived therapeutics.

Baxter initiated the verification study to address the rising public concern over the perceived threat of transmission of WNV through use of plasma-derivatives. The study follows recent reports about increased incidence of WNV in the United States and the transmission of WNV through organ donations and blood transfusions.

These data were presented at a two-day public workshop hosted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research in cooperation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health and the Health Resources Services Administration.

Study Shows WNV Readily Inactivated
WNV is a member of the Flaviviridae family of viruses and its structure is similar to previously identified viruses such as Hepatitis C. This family of enveloped viruses can be readily inactivated through proven inactivation processes such as pasteurization, vapor heating and solvent detergent treatment.

"Based on available results from structurally-related viruses, we were sure that WNV would be inactivated during the processing of our plasma-derived therapeutics," said Thomas R. Kreil, Ph.D., director, global pathogen safety. "However, we at Baxter acknowledge that the hemophilia community is especially concerned about this specific virus, and we decided to conduct these tests to reassure people who use plasma-derived therapies from Baxter."

This study, using an infectivity assay with a 1999 New York isolate of the virus, confirmed that WNV was readily inactivated through pasteurization, vapor heating and solvent detergent treatment methods that Baxter employs in the processing of its commercially available plasma derivatives.

About West Nile Virus
WNV, known by the medical community in other parts of the world for more than fifty years, first captured national attention in 1999 when an outbreak in Queens, NY, occurred. This virus has since spread across the U.S. and confirmed cases have been reported in 39 states, according to the CDC.

Most people who contract the virus have no symptoms, while 20 percent develop minor symptoms, and in rare cases the virus results in severe symptoms and even death. CDC statistics show that as of October 30, 2002, there have been 3,419 confirmed cases of WNV in the U.S., and 196 confirmed deaths.

About Baxter
Baxter Healthcare Corporation is the principal domestic operating business of Baxter International Inc. (NYSE: BAX). Baxter International Inc. is a global health care company that, through its subsidiaries, provides critical therapies for people with life-threatening conditions. Baxter's bioscience, medication delivery and renal products and services are used to treat patients with some of the most challenging medical conditions including hemophilia, immune deficiencies, infectious diseases, trauma, cancer and kidney disease.

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