News Release

Baxter introduces Baxject needleless transfer device at International Haemophilia Congress

Safer, faster and easier way to prepare medication

Business Announcement

Porter Novelli

SEVILLE, Spain, World Federation of Haemophilia Congress, May 21, 2002 -- Baxter BioScience today announced the launch of the BAXJECT needleless transfer device (BAXJECT), a safer, faster and easier way to prepare haemophilia medication without the use of sharp needles or fear of accidental injury. The BAXJECT device reduces the time it takes to prepare Factor VIII clotting therapy for infusion, allowing patients to more freely go about their lives.

"The BAXJECT device is convenient because it eliminates the handling or transfer of filter needles when preparing Factor VIII concentrates for infusion,” said Bruce Ewenstein, M.D., global medical director for haemophilia therapy, Baxter BioScience. “The whole process is safer and more streamlined, which goes a long way toward building confidence in anyone using the BAXJECT device to prepare haemophilia therapy. The device also is easy and safe enough for children to use, helping them to become more independent in managing their own condition.”

Baxter acquired worldwide licensing rights for the use of the BAXJECT device in haemophilia patients in September 2001, a strategic move to further broaden the company’s haemophilia franchise.

The BAXJECT device is compatible for use only with Baxter hemophilia therapies and will be introduced globally during the next six months. Initially the BAXJECT device will be available with Recombinate (recombinant antihaemophilic factor) and will eventually replace the transfer needles currently included in all packaging.

A RECOGNIZED NEED
The haemophilia community has asked for safer, faster and more convenient alternatives to preparing Factor VIII, a complicated process that is time-consuming and associated with the risk of needle-stick injury and contamination.

Needle-stick injury is an internationally recognized medical concern. The World Health Organization understands this and advocates that healthcare facilities develop standards, policies and procedures to address needle-stick injuries.

The BAXJECT device uses transfer spikes instead of sharp needles to mix medication during the Factor VIII infusion preparation, which involves mixing the Factor VIII powder with sterile water. A plastic barrier shields the transfer spikes at all times, so that the patient never comes in contact with them. Additionally, the BAXJECT device has a built-in filter device to remove non-visible particles that should not be present in the reconstituted solution.

This innovative design allows for faster self-infusion times and a process that greatly reduces the chance of accidental injury. Additionally, there are fewer needles in the home, including fewer disposed sharps that can pose potential risk for contamination and injury.

HOW BAXJECT WORKS
The convenience of the BAXJECT design is that the transfer spikes and the handle do all the work.

The first spike pierces the protective seal on the sterile water bottle and secures the BAXJECT device firmly into place. Next step is holding the water bottle, with device firmly secured, upside down so that the second, or twin spike, is facing downward. The placing of the second spike creates a vacuum that sets in motion the mixing, or reconstitution, process. A handle on the device allows the user to control flow. The final steps are filling the syringe for infusion.

ABOUT HAEMOPHILIA
Haemophilia A is caused by the absence or severe deficiency of Factor VIII, a protein in human blood critical for proper blood coagulation. More than 350,000 people worldwide have haemophilia. Patients can experience spontaneous, uncontrolled internal bleeding that often is associated with pain, debilitation, chronic joint destruction and if left untreated, the risk of death.

People with haemophilia infuse themselves with clotting factors on average three times a month, unless they are on a preventive regimen, in which case they may infuse as often as four times per week. Barring complications, clinicians today expect a near normal life expectancy for persons with haemophilia, provided that they receive proper treatment.

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ABOUT BAXTER
Baxter International Inc (NYSE: BAX) 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 cancer, hemophilia, immune deficiencies, infectious diseases, kidney disease and trauma.

(Baxter, Baxject and Recombinate are trademarks of Baxter International Inc. Baxter and Baxject are registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.)

This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including technological advances in the medical field, product demand and market acceptance, actions of regulatory bodies, 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.

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