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Baxter Adds Recombinant Protein to Specialty Therapeutics Portfolio

16 Oct 2007

Agreement with Kaketsuken targets rare blood disorders

DEERFIELD, IL, USA | October 16, 2007 | Baxter International Inc. (NYSE: BAX) today announced it has signed an agreement with Kaketsuken, the

Chemo-Sero-Therapeutic Research Institute, based in Kumamoto Japan, for the worldwide rights to develop, manufacture and market the recombinant protein ADAMTS13. The development of recombinant ADAMTS13, a bio-engineered version of a naturally occurring enzyme that plays a critical role in blood coagulation, will strengthen Baxter’s pre-clinical research and development pipeline for specialty therapeutics targeting rare diseases. In the absence of ADAMTS13 in the blood, patients develop a severe, often life-threatening condition called thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), marked by the formation of platelet-rich blood clots in blood vessels throughout the body. Recombinant ADAMTS13 is being developed for the treatment of TTP and related disorders and will be evaluated for other indications in the future. This agreement provides an opportunity for Baxter to exclusively develop a new recombinant protein and investigate its potential use in treating unmet medical needs.

“We are very excited to add recombinant ADAMTS13 to our development pipeline,” said Hartmut J. Ehrlich, M.D., vice president of Global Research and Development for Baxter’s BioScience business. “Elucidating the role of recombinant ADAMTS13 in TTP and other blood-clotting disorders might provide us with a new treatment modality for thrombotic diseases, which is a substantial addition to our R&D pipeline.”

When a blood vessel is injured, a platelet plug is formed that adheres to the injury site and reduces or stops the bleeding. Platelet adherence is mediated by naturally occurring von Willebrand factor (VWF), a large protein found in the circulating blood, and naturally occurring ADAMTS13, an enzyme that plays a critical role in hemostasis by actively regulating the function of VWF.

Under the terms of this agreement, Kaketsuken will provide Baxter with access to Kaketsuken’s intellectual property rights concerning the recombinant protein. Baxter has an exclusive license to the recombinant ADAMTS13 intellectual property rights worldwide, except for Japan where Baxter has a co-exclusive license to commercialize recombinant ADAMTS13 with Kaketsuken. In addition to an upfront payment upon signing the agreement, Baxter will pay Kaketsuken milestone payments upon Investigational New Drug (IND) filing, initiation of Phase II and Phase III trials, Biologics License Application (BLA) filings and US Food and Drug Administration approval of recombinant ADAMTS13.

The inclusion of ADAMTS13 in Baxter’s pre-clinical portfolio fits into the company’s platform of specialty pharmaceuticals. Baxter has pioneered protein therapies developed from the separation and purification of important blood components and recombinant technologies, applying its knowledge and resources to become a leader in blood-related disorders such as hemophilia and other immune deficiencies. Baxter is recognized as a global leader in hemophilia therapies with a growing portfolio of innovative therapies and technologies, developed through strategic collaborations and internal research and development.

About TTP
TTP is a thrombotic disorder that is caused by the formation of platelet-rich thrombi in blood vessels throughout the body. Hereditary TTP, also known as Upshaw Schulman syndrome, is caused by detrimental mutations of the ADAMTS13 gene, resulting in severe ADAMTS13 deficiency, whereas acquired TTP is often due to auto-antibodies directed against ADAMTS13. Characterized by bruising, anemia, fever, neurological abnormalities and kidney failure, TTP may be life-threatening. Currently, there are no treatments available, but a technique known as “plasma exchange,” a process during which blood plasma is collected and exchanged, is used to normalize platelet counts and manage disease symptoms.

About Baxter
Baxter International Inc., through its subsidiaries, assists healthcare professionals and their patients with treatment of complex medical conditions, including hemophilia, immune disorders, cancer, infectious diseases, kidney disease, trauma and other indications. The company applies its expertise in medical devices, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology to make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives.

About Kaketsuken
Kaketsuken is a Juridical Foundation which researches, develops, manufactures and supplies biological products such as vaccines for humans and animals, and blood plasma derivatives , based in Kumamoto Japan . The foundation has pursued the preventive medicine fields of microbiology, immunology and serology, towards the improvement of health and hygiene, and presently is a leading company in the se fields of human vaccines, animal vaccines, and blood plasma derivatives respectively in the Japan ese market. Kaketsuken is also developing therapeutic antibodies. For further information about Kaketsuken, please visit the company's web site at: www.kaketsuken.or.jp/eng.

This release includes forward-looking statements concerning the development of a recombinant form of ADAMTS13. The statements are based on assumptions about many important factors, including the following, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements: satisfaction of regulatory and other requirements for timely commencement of clinical trials; additional results, including results in humans, demonstrating the safety and efficacy of the product; market acceptance of such product; other product development risks; and other risks identified in the company's most recent filing on Form 10-Q and other SEC filings, all of which are available on the company's website. The company does not undertake to update its forward-looking statements.

SOURCE: Baxter International Inc.

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