“Art of Industry Award” Recognizes Commitment to Patient Advocacy and Disease Awareness

 

DEERFIELD, Ill., August 14, 2006 – Baxter Healthcare Corporation has been recognized with the prestigious “Art of Industry Award” presented by the Genetics Alliance, an international coalition comprised of more than 600 advocacy, research, and healthcare organizations that represent millions of individuals with genetic conditions.

 

The award recognizes Baxter's work to screen people for a rare but serious genetic abnormality known as alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency, which is the most common cause of hereditary emphysema. The company's highly successful patient screening and detection program has helped with the early diagnosis of AAT deficiency. By providing test kits to physicians, Baxter helped screen more than 14,000 people for AAT deficiency. More than 150 people, or around one percent, of those screened were found to be AAT deficient. This type of early detection and awareness enables the patient to take steps to manage their condition. In addition to those 150 people found to be AAT deficient, Baxter's screening program identified more than 1,900 carriers.

 

These patients could have potentially been misdiagnosed for many years had they not been offered this program ,” said Carole Gibson, board member of the Alpha-1 Advocacy Alliance, a member organization of the Genetics Alliance dedicated to helping patients with AAT deficiency, in nominating Baxter for the award. “ Early detection and awareness enables the patient to make the necessary lifestyle changes that could otherwise result in premature death.”

 

“We are deeply honored to receive this award for our work in support of patients with AAT deficiency,” said Regina Ofiara, director of marketing for Baxter's BioScience business in North America. “This is a serious disease for which augmentation therapy is available, but sadly one that is under-diagnosed. We're proud that our efforts have made a difference in the lives of so many people with AAT deficiency.”

 

More than 4,200 healthcare professionals have benefited from Alpha-1 educational initiatives and CME Grand Rounds programs supported by Baxter.

 

About The Art of Industry Award

 

The Art of Industry Award honors a biotechnology, pharmaceutical or genetics company whose track record models the benefits of creative partnerships between advocates and industry to advance understanding and treatment of genetic conditions, disorders and diseases. Companies are judged on the following criteria:

• Support to disease advocacy organizations;
• Insight and vision in the way consumer advisors are involved in their projects;
• Efforts to raise awareness in the corporate community of the need for collaboration with the disease advocacy community;
• Commitment to genuine partnering in planning and execution of project.

 

Regina Ofiara, Director of Pulmonology at Baxter, and Ted Langan, Vice President of Sales, BioPharmaceuticals at Baxter were on hand as the Genetics Alliance presented the award at a ceremony on July 29, 2006, in Washington, D.C.

 

About AAT deficiency

 

AAT deficiency is a hereditary condition that is characterized by a low level of AAT protein in the blood. This protein, which is made in the liver, helps protect lung tissue from damaging enzymes released by white blood cells. The American Lung Association estimates that there are approximately 100,000 people in the United States who have inherited AAT deficiency; up to 95 percent of them are undiagnosed. If untreated, AAT deficiency can result in early onset emphysema and premature death. The American Thoracic Society (ATS) and European Respiratory Society (ERS) recommend that all patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma characterized by incompletely reversible airflow obstruction should be tested for AAT deficiency.

About the Screening Program

 

Baxter's screening and detection program, which the company began in 2004, includes a screening and prevalence study implementing nearly 130 screening days in cooperation with pulmonary practices across the country. Patients were asked to complete a questionnaire regarding demographics and family and medical history. Individual blood samples were then sent to a national medical laboratory and a reference laboratory for immunoassay and phenotype testing. In addition to these screening days, Baxter has distributed more than 50,000 complimentary test kits to pulmonologists.

 

In addition to AAT deficient patients, the program has also helped identify carriers of AAT deficiency, who have a lower-than-normal serum level of AAT and phenotyping shows that they carry one altered gene. Most individuals who are carriers of the disease do not experience pulmonary symptoms, but ATS/ERS standards suggest that these individuals may be more susceptible to the damaging effects of smoking and occupational/environmental pollutants. Knowledge of their status as carriers has helped physicians advise these individuals to stop smoking and implement other good health practices, including adhering to a good nutrition and exercise program and undergoing regular health exams. It also provides an opportunity for discussion of the genetics of this deficiency and to encourage patients to share this information with family members.

 

About Baxter

 

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