Blood Systems Inc. adopts Gambro's Trima System Technology

Blood Systems Inc. adopts Gambro's Trima System Technology Stockholm, Sweden, November 20, 2001 Gambro AB (Stockholmsbörsen: GAMBaST, GAMBbST), a leading international medical technology and healthcare company, today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Gambro BCT has begun implementation of the Trima Automated Collection System in several Blood Systems Inc. locations across the country. Blood Systems Inc. serves more than 500 hospitals in 18 states, and is the second largest blood collection organization in the US. Over 15 million people rely on the life-saving products and services provided by Blood Systems Inc. "We're very excited to be implementing this new technology into the Blood Centers of the Pacific and the United Blood Services collection centers throughout the country", stated J. Daniel Connor, President and Chief Executive Officer of Blood Systems, Inc. "The Trima automated collection system gives us the flexibility to collect a variety of blood components from a single donation and this unique ability will help assure that the right component is available for the patients we serve - when they need it." "We're pleased to be partnering with one of the oldest and most respected providers of blood and blood services in the United States," says David Perez, President of Gambro BCT. "The close working relationship and collaboration between Blood Systems, Inc. and Gambro BCT provides the opportunity to respond to blood needs in many cities across America. Trima, with its ability to collect multiple combinations of leukoreduced, ready-to-store platelets, plasma, and red cells - including double red cells - offers blood centers a multi-component collection device that can add value, today, in their constant effort to increase the quantity of available blood to serve their communities." "Blood shortages have been an unfortunate and constant reality," states Perez, "and blood centers have continually struggled to find and maintain enough donors to meet community blood demands. Recent events, however, opened the eyes and hearts of people worldwide and many who had never donated before came forth to give blood. It is everyone's hope that continued heightened awareness of the need for blood will encourage these people to become regular donors. Automated component collection technology can help organizations like Blood Systems Inc. channel this new pool of donors in order to meet their specific community demands for blood products by collecting more valuable components from each donation event." The Trima system, which is currently implemented in over 350 blood centers in 37 countries, is the only automated blood collection system that can collect all three leukoreduced components (red cells, platelets and plasma*) from a single donor, in a single procedure. This feature ensures that blood centers maximize the potential of each donor, and the usability of every blood product. Additionally, the Trima system's technical configuration also allows centers to target specific collection goals in order to maintain favorable inventory levels, and reduce the chance of future blood shortages. Implementation of the Trima Automated Collection System in Blood Systems Inc. began in September, 2001. * Leukoreduced plasma is not a licensed product in the US. For further information please contact: David Perez, President, Gambro BCT, tel. +1-303-232-6800 or visit the website www.gambrobct.com Karin Avasalu, Vice President, Corporate Communications, tel. +46-8-613 65 99, +46-70-513 65 99 Pia Irell, Investor Relations Director, Corporate Finance, tel. +46-8- 613 65 91, +46-70-513 65 91 Kevin Smith, President Gambro Inc., Investor Relations US, tel. +1-303 231 4750 ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2001/11/20/20011120BIT00400/bit0002.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2001/11/20/20011120BIT00400/bit0002.pdf