Haemonetics Presents Research On Advanced Technologies to Increase Safety and Availability of Blood Supply.

Business Editors & Health/Medical Writers

BRAINTREE, Mass.--(BW HealthWire)--Oct. 15, 2001

Research on Double Red Cell Collection, Blood Processing/Freezing

Technology, Automated Blood Separation and Platelet Donations to Be

Presented at the American Association of Blood Banks Annual Meeting

Haemonetics Corporation (NYSE: HAE) today announced it will present scientific abstracts as well as new technology that can increase the safety, quality, and availability of the U.S. blood supply at the American Association of Blood Banks' ("AABB") annual meeting in San Antonio, TX, October 14-17. The AABB Annual Meeting is the largest meeting of blood collection organizations in the country.

Haemonetics' research is particularly significant during this time when the U.S. military campaign mandates that the Nation's blood supply remain in a state of readiness. Importantly, Haemonetics will present research on its double red cell collection technology, which addresses supply constraints currently felt by the U.S. blood systems, and on newly-approved freezing technology, which will allow the country to better manage supply and inventory limitations in providing blood products when and where needed.

Haemonetics will also host a symposium on the evening of Monday, October 15th to further discuss the following abstracts:

Double red cell collection technology - Haemonetics' MCS(R)+ system allows for the collection of two units of red blood cells from one donor. Traditional systems collect a pint of whole blood, netting just one unit of red blood cells, from one donor. Double red cell collection technology has been proven by blood banks currently using the technology to help close the gap between blood supply and demand constraints. This system is currently commercially available.

Blood processing/freezing technology - The ACP(TM) 215 cell processing system allows blood centers to freeze and thaw red blood cells in a closed-circuit disposable set. The system does not expose the blood to air or bacterial contaminants, thereby extending shelf life of thawed blood to 14 days as opposed to previous technology, which required that the blood be used within 24 hours. This extended shelf life facilitates inventory management of frozen blood supplies. The ACP 215 system is currently commercially available and will be used by the U.S. Military and the American Red Cross.

A study conducted by Haemonetics reviews the use of this same technology to "wash" residual plasma from red blood cell units prior to transfusion to patients. Some patients can have adverse reactions to proteins found in plasma, and so removal of the plasma is indicated for their treatment. The study presented shows effective removal of plasma from red cells as well as satisfactory quality of washed red cells for at least three days after washing.

Automated technology for processing and separating of blood - Haemonetics' Chairside Separator(R) system automates and documents the processing and separation of blood at the blood donor's chairside. Whole blood is traditionally separated and processed in a back-office laboratory into its component parts: red blood cells, platelets, and plasma, which are then transfused to patients. Existing laboratory-based blood processing procedures are manual and time and labor consuming. The Chairside Separator system automates this environment, separating and processing blood in a documented, efficient, and quality controlled device. This system is currently under review by the FDA.

Decreased donation time for platelet donors - Haemonetics' existing MCS+ platelet collection system has been enhanced to decrease the donation time required for platelet donors while maintaining the quality and quantity of platelets collected for transfusion to cancer and surgical patients. Platelets can be obtained from whole blood donations, but the platelets collected in a pint of whole blood must be combined with the platelets from 6-8 other units of whole blood to constitute one transfusable dose for a patient. Conversely, enough platelets can be collected on the MCS+ system from one donor to treat one patient. This enhanced system can reduce the current platelet donation time, which can take up to two hours, by fifteen percent. This system is currently under review by the FDA.

Haemonetics is a global company engaged in the design, manufacture and worldwide marketing of automated blood processing systems. These systems address important medical markets: surgical blood salvage, blood component collections and plasma collections. To learn more about Haemonetics' products and markets, visit the Company's web site at http://www.haemonetics.com.

This release contains forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including technological advances in the medical field, product demand, market acceptance, regulatory uncertainties, the effect of economic conditions, the impact of competitive products and pricing, blood product reimbursement policies and practices, foreign currency exchange rates and other risks detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The 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 and experience could differ materially from the forward looking statements.