News Release

NATIONAL HEMOPHILIA FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES RECIPIENTS OF THE NHF GRANTS SPONSORED BY BAXTER

Awards Given to Physicians and Nurses to Promote Excellence in Hemophilia Care

DEERFIELD, Ill., Dec. 18, 2003 - The National Hemophilia Foundation (NHF) has announced the 2003-2004 recipients of the NHF Clinical Fellowship grants. The fellowship program, sponsored by Baxter Healthcare Corporation, is designed to increase the number of clinicians who are dedicated to providing care to patients with bleeding disorders, like hemophilia, and prepare fellows for academic careers.

The 2003-2004 NHF/Baxter fellows are:

• Leslie Raffini, MD, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Division of Hematology
   
• Courtney D. Thornburg, MD, Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Division, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

"We're grateful that Baxter has recognized the pivotal roles played by hemophilia treatment centers and clinicians who specialize in hemophilia management," said Jordan Lurie, President, National Hemophilia Foundation. "Baxter's support for this program will help ensure that the highest level of care will continue to be available for people with bleeding disorders in the years to come."

As part of Baxter's ongoing commitment to the hemophilia community, it has sponsored the fellowship program with a gift of $2.125 million. Each year, institutions receive up to a $100,000 award per fellow. The NHF fellowships support training programs by institutions with established hemophilia treatment centers in the U.S. that are committed to training clinicians and physicians interested in specializing in coagulation disorders.

Baxter also recognizes the important role nurses play in hemophilia management by providing partial support to the NHF for its Nursing Excellence Fellowship. Interest from the $250,000 Baxter-endowed Soozie Courter Memorial Fund supplements the $10,000 bestowed annually by the NHF.

The recipient of the 2003-2004 award is:

• Susan Zappa, RN, CPN, CPON of Cook's Children's Medical Center, Fort Worth, Texas. She is the recipient of the 2003-2004 Nursing Excellence Fellowship and has been awarded $13,500, which she plans to use to create an educational adventure story-book for children 7-12 years old with von Willebrand disease.

"We value the integral role that nurses play in ongoing hemophilia care and research," said Peter O'Malley, Vice President & General Manager, Baxter BioScience North America. "We are excited to support the National Hemophilia Foundation's commitment to supply these specialists with the resources necessary to continue in their efforts, which will benefit the hemophilia community."

To be eligible for grants, institutions must have well-established hemophilia/ thrombophilia treatment centers with qualified clinical and research faculty committed to the development of fellows. Candidates for fellowship grants must have a medical degree, pre-fellowship clinical training and an interest in bleeding disorders. For more information about the NHF fellowship and to learn about how to qualify, log onto the NHF Web site at http://www.hemophilia.org/research/research.htm.

ABOUT HEMOPHILIA

Hemophilia is primarily an inherited genetic disorder that is carried on the X chromosome and almost exclusively affects males.¹ Because males (XY) carry only one X chromosome compared to females (XX), who carry two, males are more likely to have hemophilia and experience the bleeding complications associated with the disorder.²

The two types of hemophilia - A and B - are caused by an absence in the blood of two different but specific factors.³ Hemophilia A is five times more common than hemophilia B and is caused by a deficiency of factor VIII protein. Hemophilia B is caused by a deficiency of factor IX protein. People with hemophilia A do not produce adequate amounts of factor VIII, which is necessary to effectively clot blood. Without enough factor VIII, patients can experience spontaneous, uncontrolled internal bleeding that is painful, debilitating and damaging to joints. If untreated, patients with severe hemophilia A have a greatly reduced life expectancy.

According to the World Health Organization, more than 400,000 people in the world may have hemophilia A and it affects 15-20 of every 100,000 males born w orldwide⁴. People with hemophilia A infuse themselves with clotting factors three times a month, on average, unless they are on a preventive regimen, in which case their physician may prescribe infusing a therapy as often as three or four times per week.

Baxter continually pursues breakthrough technologies in its businesses through research facilities around the world, and its investments reflect that commitment. Baxter has been providing the hemophilia community with safe and effective therapies to manage their condition, dating back to the 1960's when Baxter developed the first factor VIII concentrate, to 2003 when the FDA approved ADVATE, Antihemophilic Factor (Recombinant), Plasma/Albumin-Free Method for the prevention and control of bleeding episodes in people with hemophilia A. ADVATE is the first and only factor VIII made without any added human or animal plasma proteins and albumin in the cell culture process, purification and final formulation, thereby eliminating the risk of infections caused by viruses that may be carried in these proteins. Through Baxter's ongoing research, it is able to introduce innovative technology to elevate the standard of care and meet the needs of the hemophilia community.

ABOUT BAXTER

Baxter Healthcare Corporation is the principal domestic operating subsidiary of Baxter International Inc. (NYSE: BAX). Baxter International Inc., through its subsidiaries, assists health-care professionals and their patients with treatment of complex medical conditions, including cancer, hemophilia, immune disorders, kidney disease and trauma. The company applies its expertise in medical devices, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology to make a meaningful difference in patients' lives.

For more info and prescribing information on ADVATE, please visit www.ADVATE.com .

Baxter and ADVATE are trademarks of Baxter International Inc.

This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including technological advances in the medical field, the effect of economic conditions, actions by regulatory authorities at any stage of the development and commercialization process, product demand and market acceptance, the impact of competitive products and pricing, and other risks detailed in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by management of the company and are believed to be reasonable, though are inherently uncertain and difficult to predict. Actual results or experience could differ materially from the forward-looking statements.

¹ World Federation of Hemophilia. Hemophilia: facts for families. Edn Online [serial online]. Available at: http://www.wfh.org . Accessed April 2002.

² Ibid

³ Ibid

⁴ World Health Organization. The world health report 1997: conquering suffering enriching humanity. Geneva, Switzerland: Office of publications, World Health Organization; 1997.

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