Cerus Announces Second Marketing Authorization Granted to Largest Region of German Red Cross

CONCORD, Calif.--(Business Wire)--
Cerus Corporation (NASDAQ:CERS) announced today that the German Red Cross Blood
Donor Service in the Baden-Württemberg - Hessen region (DRK BWH), including
Frankfurt, has been granted authorization by the Paul Ehrlich Institute (PEI) to
market platelet components treated with the INTERCEPT Blood System. The
marketing authorization covers pooled platelets using the buffy coat method of
collection. A marketing authorization covering platelets collected from single
donors by apheresis was granted in late February 2009. The DRK BWH is one of the
large Red Cross Blood Donor Services in Germany, collecting and processing
approximately 25% of the blood supply in Germany.

"Cerus is pleased that the largest region of the German Red Cross has received
its second marketing authorization as expected and can now fully implement the
INTERCEPT platelet system," said Claes Glassell, president and CEO of Cerus
Corporation. "By employing the INTERCEPT Blood System to inactivate pathogens
found in donated platelet components, the DRK BWH can reduce the risk of
transfusion transmitted infections from bacteria, viruses and parasites that may
not be detected by diagnostic tests. Receipt of these two marketing
authorizations are key regulatory developments in the commercialization of the
INTERCEPT Blood System in Germany."

As a leading reference center for transfusion medicine globally, the DRK BWH
actively collaborates with transfusion medicine professionals from within
Germany and around the world to share with them data on best practices in blood
banking. Blood banks within the DRK BWH region process approximately 100,000
platelet units annually. Cerus announced on June 11, 2008, that a commercial
supply agreement for the INTERCEPT platelet system had been signed with the DRK
BWH. Blood centers within the DRK BWH region have already received manufacturing
approval from local Länder organizations. As contemplated in the supply
agreement, the marketing authorization from the PEI enables the DRK BWH to
conduct a hemovigilance study prior to initiating commercial adoption of the
INTERCEPT Blood System.

ABOUT CERUS

Cerus Corporation is a biomedical products company focused on commercializing
the INTERCEPT Blood System to enhance blood safety. The INTERCEPT Blood System
is designed to inactivate blood-borne pathogens in donated blood components
intended for transfusion. Cerus currently markets the INTERCEPT Blood System for
both platelets and plasma in Europe and the Middle East. The company is also
pursuing regulatory approvals in the United States and other countries. The
INTERCEPT red blood cell system is currently in clinical development.

INTERCEPT and the INTERCEPT Blood System are trademarks of Cerus Corporation.

This press release contains forward-looking statements.Any statements contained
in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed
to be forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements on
the conduct and outcome of a hemovigilance study and the commercial
implementation of the INTERCEPT Blood System by DRK Baden-Württemberg - Hessen
under the supply agreement.Actual results could differ materially from these
forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including, without
limitation, risks associated with the commercialization and market acceptance of
the INTERCEPT Blood System, as well as other risks detailed in the company's
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008. No
pathogen inactivation system has been shown to inactivate all pathogens.You are
cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which
speak only as of the date of this press release.The company does not undertake
any obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new
information, future events, changed assumptions or otherwise.

Cerus Corporation
Lainie Corten, 925-288-6319
Marketing Director

Copyright Business Wire 2009