Subsidiaries of Baxter International Inc. and Cerus Corporation have entered into an agreement to restructure their collaboration related to the Intercept Blood System.
Under the agreement, Cerus and Baxter reaffirm their commitment to market and develop the Intercept Blood System for platelets and plasma in Europe through 2006 and potentially beyond. The new agreement also includes revised development, marketing and manufacturing responsibilities for each partner related to the Intercept Blood System for plasma and red blood cells. In addition, the two companies have resolved their loan dispute and have agreed to dismiss the related legal actions.
Kevin McCulloch, general manager for Baxter's Transfusion Therapies business said, "This new agreement allows both Baxter and Cerus to focus attention on our respective strategic business goals and still pursue the commercialization of these important products. We look forward to working together with Cerus under the new partnership structure."
"We strongly believe in the Intercept Blood System and its potential to improve the safety of the global blood supply," added Claes Glassell, president and CEO of Cerus.
Under the terms of the restructured agreement, Baxter will continue to invest in Intercept Platelet and Plasma commercialization activities in Europe in 2005 and 2006 and will work collaboratively with Cerus on the preparation of a CE Mark application for plasma. Baxter has an option beyond 2006 to continue as the exclusive European marketing partner for Intercept Platelets and Plasma.
Baxter and Cerus will continue to pursue regulatory approval for the pathogen inactivation system for platelets in the United States. Baxter and Cerus will also continue to collaborate on commercialization activities for Intercept Platelets and Plasma in regions outside the United States and Canada that are not covered by existing third-party agreements.
Baxter will continue certain manufacturing responsibilities in support of Cerus' development and commercialization activities, release from Baxter said.