CONCORD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 19, 2005--Cerus Corporation
(NASDAQ:CERS) today announced that Dr. Joseph Eiden has joined the
company as vice president, clinical research and medical affairs. Dr.
Eiden will oversee the company's clinical development efforts.
Dr. Eiden brings to Cerus an exceptional reputation that is based
on more than 20 years of experience. Most recently, Dr. Eiden was
senior director of clinical research and medical affairs at Chiron
Vaccines, where he guided clinical teams in the United States for
development of vaccines for prevention of Neisseria meningitidis,
influenza and HIV. Prior to joining Chiron, Dr. Eiden was vice
president of medical affairs at Dynavax Technologies Corporation.
While at Dynavax, Dr. Eiden also held the position of vice president
of research and development.
"We are extremely pleased to have Dr. Eiden join Cerus. His wealth
of knowledge and proven abilities in areas of clinical research will
truly be a valuable asset to the Company as we move forward in our
programs in both blood safety and immunotherapy," said Claes Glassell,
president and chief executive officer of Cerus Corporation.
Dr. Eiden received his Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology, his
M.D. from Duke University and completed his medical training in
pediatrics and infectious disease at the Johns Hopkins University
School of Medicine, where he also served on the faculty. Additionally,
Dr. Eiden has published numerous articles in such publications as
Nature, Virology, Biochemistry and Lancet.
ABOUT CERUS
Cerus Corporation is developing novel products for cancer,
infectious disease and blood safety based on multiple, innovative
technology platforms. The company is building a pipeline of next
generation cancer immunotherapies by combining its proprietary
attenuated Listeria vector platform with promising disease antigens.
These products are designed to stimulate innate and T cell immune
pathways, generating highly potent anti-tumor responses. Cerus is
applying its Helinx technology to develop the INTERCEPT Blood System,
which is designed to enhance the safety of blood components through
pathogen inactivation. The company's strategy is to leverage the broad
potential of its technologies and products through alliances. Cerus'
partners to date include MedImmune and Johns Hopkins University for
cancer immunotherapy, and Baxter International and BioOne for the
INTERCEPT Blood System.
Helinx is a trademark of Cerus Corporation
INTERCEPT is a trademark of Baxter International Inc.
Statements in this news release regarding product development 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
uncertainties inherent in developing biotechnology products based on
new technologies, actions by collaborators, including the risks and
uncertainty of the timing and results of clinical trials and other
research and development activities, actions by regulatory authorities
at any stage of the development process, additional financing
activities, manufacturing, market acceptance of any products,
competitive conditions, long-term growth opportunity of Cerus, legal
proceedings and other factors discussed in the company's Form 10-Q for
the first quarter of fiscal 2005, as well as in other reports filed
from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The
company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking
statements.
CONTACT: Cerus Corporation
Ruey-Li Hwang, 925-288-6017
SOURCE: Cerus Corporation