Next-generation dialyzer offers increased benefits for patients, clinical practice and the environment

MISSISSAUGA, ON, October 21, 2011 – Baxter Corporation is pleased to mark Waste Reduction Week with the launch of its XENIUM+ dialyzer for use in hemodialysis, at the Canadian Association of Nephrology Nurse Technologists (CANNT) conference.  XENIUM+ is the first kidney care product in the world to achieve certification from The Carbon Trust Footprinting Certification Company.

“Baxter is committed to developing new products in a way that minimizes environmental impacts.  The XENIUM+ dialyzer enhancements underscore our efforts to advance environmentally sound business practices with quality renal products that benefit patients, clinical practice and the planet,” said Michael Oliver, General Manager, Baxter Corporation.

Dialyzers are filters that clean the blood of hemodialysis patients whose kidneys can no longer perform that life-sustaining function.  Representing the third generation of Baxter’s XENIUM synthetic dialyzers, XENIUM+ uses the latest technology and new, lighter packaging to offer patients higher urea and middle molecule clearances with decreased carbon emissions, natural resource use and biohazard waste compared to other synthetic dialyzers.

Among specific improvements, each XENIUM+ is between 13% to 16% lighter than earlier versions, which offers the potential for reduced fuel consumption in shipping and biohazard waste removal.  Each case of XENIUM+ dialyzers uses approximately one-third less cardboard in packaging, reducing natural resource use, waste removal and clinic storage requirements.  Also, all materials used in XENIUM+ are free of bisphenol-A (BPA), making XENIUM+ one of the only dialyzers in the world that does not contain BPA, and the only BPA-free dialyzer available in North America.   Clinicians can also realize a resource benefit in the 40% reduction in the amount of saline needed as priming solution with the dialyzer.

“Baxter is known for being a leader in healthcare and should be proud for being the first North American company to add a BPA-free dialyzer to their line of dialysis products,” said Rejean Quesnelle, A.Sc.T., Renal Technologist.  “The purpose of dialysis is to reduce toxins and clean blood.  The benefit of a product like XENIUM+ is that it will help reduce toxic load.  This is a positive move forward for dialysis patients and the environment.”

XENIUM+ dialyzers have become the first kidney care product to achieve certification from The Carbon Trust Footprinting Certification Company, a not-for-profit company that helps businesses and the public sector accelerate the move to a low carbon economy, based on a verification of carbon footprint analyses and a commitment by Baxter to continue to decrease the carbon footprint of the XENIUM+ dialyzer during the next two years.
 
In addition to reduced use of resources, XENIUM+ offers nephrologists eight different size options, the widest range of sizes of any dialyzer.

“XENIUM+ incorporates manufacturing improvements that help reduce hemodialysis’ environmental impact.  Availability of a range of dialyzer sizes also means clinicians can tailor a patient’s care, choosing the dialyzer that provides the optimal clearance for that specific patient,” said Adel Gehchan, M.D., Medical Director for Baxter Corporation.

XENIUM+ dialyzers are currently commercially available in Canada, France, Sweden, Finland and Denmark.  Additional country launches are planned in 2012, depending on market needs and timing of regulatory approvals.

About Dialyzers
Dialyzers are filters that clean the blood of dialysis patients whose kidneys can no longer perform that life-saving function.  During hemodialysis, the patient’s blood is slowly taken out of the body, via a needle and tubing, to be pumped by a machine through a dialyzer.  All the blood is filtered through the dialyzer several times. The cleansed blood goes back into the patient’s body.  The goal of dialysis is to achieve a level of clearance, or removal of toxins, from the patient’s body, as appropriate to maintain that patient’s health.

About Baxter
As the Canadian subsidiary of Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX), Baxter Corporation manufactures and markets products that save and sustain the lives of people living with hemophilia, immune disorders, infectious diseases, kidney disease, trauma, and other chronic and acute medical conditions. As a global, diversified healthcare company, Baxter applies a unique combination of expertise in medical devices, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology to create products that advance patient care worldwide.

Baxter's commitment to sustainability spans three decades. The company is included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index; named the Medical Products Leader for the 10th time; has been recognized by Corporate Knights as one of the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World and by Corporate Responsibility magazine as one of the 100 Best Corporate Citizens; and named to Fortune magazine’s list of the World’s Most Admired Companies.  Baxter has also ranked first in the healthcare category of Newsweek magazine’s annual “Green Rankings” since the list’s inception in 2009.  On a local level, Baxter Corporation been named among the 2011 recipients of the prestigious Canada Awards for Excellence, with a Silver Award for outstanding achievement in Excellence, Innovation and Wellness, and was named by Aon Hewitt among the list of Canada's "Green 30".  Baxter Corporation recently released its third annual Sustainability Priorities Digest, which details its 2010 Canadian contributions towards the achievement of Baxter’s global sustainability priorities, including efforts to drive a greener supply chain and reductions in its natural resource use, and engaging employees in volunteer initiatives in local communities.  For more information, visit: www.baxter.ca.

-30-

Media Contacts:
Heather MacDonnell                              Christy Hummel
(905) 369-6398                                       (847) 948-4380
heather_macdonnell@baxter.com          christina_hummel@baxter.com