Cerus obtains rights to Intercept Blood System from Baxter

By Lisa Kerner

Erie, Pa., Feb. 13 - Cerus Corp. and subsidiaries of Baxter International Inc. today announced they have entered into a definitive agreement for Cerus to acquire Baxter's remaining commercial rights to the Intercept Blood System for platelets and plasma, effective Feb. 1.

Cerus now has exclusive rights to the Intercept Blood System for all three commonly transfused components: platelets, plasma and red blood cells, excluding rights in certain Asian countries for platelets and plasma, according to a company news release.

The Intercept Blood System reduces the risk of transfusion-transmitted diseases by inactivating certain pathogens that may be present in donated blood components.

Baxter will provide technical service, clinical education and select regulatory activities in Europe during the transition. The company will continue manufacturing responsibilities in support of Cerus' development and commercialization activities through 2008.

Baxter will receive royalties based on future sales of Intercept Blood System for platelets and plasma.

"Cerus is now positioned to deliver on a new standard of blood safety with the Intercept Blood System," said Claes Glassell, Cerus president and chief executive officer. "We strongly believe pathogen inactivation will have a significant impact on blood safety globally."

Cerus develops novel products for cancer, infectious disease and blood safety. The company is located in Concord, Calif.

Baxter International Inc. is a pharmaceutical and medical device company based in Deerfield, Ill..

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