“Dr. Tillson brings extensive product, Regulatory Affairs and Quality experience to our management team,” said Stephen T. Isaacs, president and chief executive officer of Cerus. “As the launch of the INTERCEPT Blood System for platelets in Europe commences, Dr. Tillson has already made significant contributions towards the company's goal to deliver the entire suite of INTERCEPT Blood System products, which include pathogen inactivation systems for platelets, plasma and red blood cells in the United States and around the world.”

Dr. Tillson, 54, joins Cerus with considerable regulatory experience. She has a successful track record which includes submissions for HIV, malaria and CMV vaccines as well as overseeing several regulatory submissions and manufacturing inspections for class I, II, and III medical devices. Before joining Cerus she was the vice president of Regulatory Affairs at Onyx Pharmaceuticals, a biotech company developing oncology products. Prior to Onyx, Dr. Tillson was the vice president of Regulatory Affairs at Arriva Pharmaceuticals where she had responsibility for regulatory affairs, quality control and quality assurance, preclinical and clinical studies. She holds a bachelor's degree in honors biology, a master's degree in biology and a doctorate in cell biology from the University of Illinois. Cerus and Baxter Healthcare Corporation are collaborating on development of the INTERCEPT Blood System to enhance the safety of blood transfusions. A CE Mark for the INTERCEPT Blood System for platelets has been received. The companies have begun the regulatory submission process to obtain approval in the United States. The companies also are preparing the U.S. regulatory submission for the INTERCEPT Blood System for plasma, which will be followed by a CE Mark application for this product. In addition, the companies are conducting Phase III clinical trials for INTERCEPT Red Blood Cells.

ABOUT CERUS

Cerus Corporation is building on its leading position in the biopharmaceutical industry by developing medical systems and therapeutics to provide safer and more effective options to patients. The company is developing products based on its proprietary Helinx® technology for controlling biological replication. Cerus' most advanced programs are focused on systems to enhance the safety of the world's blood supply. The INTERCEPT Blood System, based on the company's Helinx technology, is designed to inactivate viruses, bacteria, other pathogens and white blood cells. The Concord, California-based company also is pursuing therapeutic applications of Helinx technology to treat and prevent serious diseases.

Helinx is a trademark of Cerus Corporation.

Intercept Blood System is a trademark of Baxter International, Inc. (NYSE: BAX)

Statements in this news release regarding regulatory filings, product development and product potential are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from the above forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including the risks and uncertainty of the timing and results of clinical trials and other development activities, actions by regulatory authorities at any stage of the development process, additional financing activities, market acceptance of any products, competitive conditions and other factors discussed in the company's most recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.