Pall Corporation Announces Japan Sets Policy for Universal Leukocyte Filtration.

Business/Medical Editors

EAST HILLS, N.Y.--(BW HealthWire)--Aug. 20, 2001

The Working Group under Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW), made the decision to move to universal pre-storage leukocyte (white blood cell) filtration for all blood transfusion platelets as soon as possible.

The decision is based on the evidence that leukocyte reduction reduces non-hemolytic febrile reactions, prevents alloimmunization, reduces transmission of cytomegalovirus (CMV), and may reduce transfusion-related suppression of the immune system. Japan is the first Asian nation to move to universal pre-storage filtration of platelets.

"This is a strong vote for enhanced blood safety in Japan," says Eric Krasnoff, Chairman and CEO of Pall Corporation (NYSE: PLL), the leading provider of filters for leukocyte reduction of platelets and red blood cells worldwide. "Japan joins the growing number of nations around the globe that have mandated universal leukocyte reduction of all blood components for transfusion to improve the margin for safety. We look forward to continue working with the Japan Red Cross to help them implement the new policy."

Japan currently leukocyte reduces about 85 percent of platelets using bedside filtration. The move to pre-storage filtration for platelets will assure that all patients receive the filtered blood product. The Working Group plans to address leukocyte reduction of red blood cells at its next meeting, later this year. Approximately 800,000 platelets and over 4 million red blood cells are collected in Japan annually.

Pall Corporation holds over 50 percent market share worldwide for blood filtrations systems. In Japan, it provides both bedside filtration and pre-storage filtrations systems, which are an integral component of many platelet and red cell collection systems. The Company also has an exclusive agreement to provide filters for pre-storage leukocyte reduction of platelets with Haemonetics Corporation, the market leader for single-donor derived platelet collections in Japan.

There are currently 11 major industrialized nations, including the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Switzerland and Canada, which have mandated universal leukocyte reduction for all blood and blood products. An additional 14 nations, including the U.S., are moving to filter all donor blood as soon as possible.

Donor white blood cells can cause reactions in the patient at the time of transfusion and are also known to transmit disease and predispose transfusion recipients to infection. Transfused leukocytes are associated with diminished patient outcomes and longer and more expensive hospital stays. Clinical studies have shown that leukocyte reduction by filtration reduces transfusion-related complications, including suppression of the immune system, and helps protect against post-surgical infections. Surgical patients who receive filtered blood typically spend two to six less days in the hospital due to fewer health complications and faster patient recovery, and at a lower cost.

About Pall

Pall Corporation offers the broadest range of advanced filtration systems and services to help blood centers meet the challenges of implementing routine, high-volume blood filtration. The Company reported fiscal 2001 blood filter sales in excess of $200 million, a 13.5% increase over the previous year. Pall Corporation also is involved in extensive research and development in many other areas of blood safety including pathogen inactivation of red blood cells and platelets through its collaboration with V.I. Technologies; and new devices for sensitive and early detection of bacterial contamination of platelets, considered the number one infection risk in transfusion medicine.

Pall Corporation is the leader in the rapidly growing filtration, separations and purification industry, with annual sales of over $1.2 billion. In addition to transfusion medicine, it provides leading-edge products for high-growth applications such as genomics, proteomics and biotechnology as well as for the semiconductor, water, aerospace and a host of other industries. The Company is headquartered in East Hills, New York and has operations in more than 30 countries. Further information can be found at http://www.pall.com.