Message to the Blood Bank Community

In 2005, Haemonetics filed suit against Baxter Healthcare Corporation claiming that Baxter’s Alyx system infringes a Haemonetics patent. The lawsuit continued against both Baxter and Fenwal Inc. after Baxter sold its blood bank product business to private equity in 2007. Despite Haemonetics’ effort to settle the lawsuit, the suit went to trial and in January 2009 a jury determined that Haemonetics patent is valid and that the Alyx disposable infringes our patent. In June 2009 the court issued an order stating that Fenwal must stop U.S. manufacture or sale of the infringing Alxy disposable by December 1, 2010.

This lawsuit was necessary to protect our Company’s intellectual property. We specifically asked the court for an 18 month transition period before Fenwal stops sales of the Alyx disposable. We believe this time period ensures there will be no interruption or adverse effects to the blood supply. We are prepared to support customers through this transition period.

Haemonetics remains dedicated to serving the blood collection industry and working with customers to deliver blood management solutions to improve patient care and reduce healthcare costs.

For more information or to reach your local account manager, please contact Kathy Kostas at kkostas@haemonetics.com or (781) 356-9232.