Bethesda, MD - March 6, 2002 -- The National Blood Data Resource Center (NBDRC) is pleased to announce that Chiron Corp. has joined the organization as a Charter Member. The NBDRC is an independent, not-for-profit subsidiary of the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB). The organization collects, analyzes and distributes data on all aspects of blood banking and transfusion medicine.

Chiron Corp., located in Emeryville, CA, is a leading biotechnology company that participates in the biopharmaceutical, blood testing, and vaccine markets. Chiron will distribute the Procleix ™ HIV-1/HCV assay, developed by Gen-Probe Inc., which was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration for screening of whole blood and blood components. 

Chiron joins a distinguished group of Charter Members of the NBDRC that includes Abbott Laboratories, Baxter Healthcare Corp., and Gambro BCT.

For additional information please contact the National Blood Data Resource Center at 
301-215-6506.