Talecris Biotherapeutics' Talents Program Accepting Applications for 2007 Research Grant Awards

Funding Source Available to Scientists Conducting Basic and Clinical Research Involving Intravenous Immunoglobulin Therapy

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 10, 2007--Talecris Biotherapeutics, Inc. (http://www.talecris.com) announced today their Talents program is now accepting applications for 2007 research awards. Talents, or Talecris New Trials Support (http://www.talecristalents.com), is designed to advance basic and clinical research addressing the use of intravenous immunoglobulin (IGIV) in antibody replacement as well as immune modulation therapies. Talents research grants total approximately $1 million annually and provide an important source of funding for research scientists investigating the cause and treatment of immune disorders.

Through August 15, investigators are invited to submit a letter of intent (LOI) for review by the Talents Evaluation Committee, which is comprised of Talecris scientists as well as experts in neurology, immunology, hematology, and other disciplines as needed. Upon LOI approval by the Evaluation Committee, investigators will receive a full application form to be completed by October 15. Selection of proposals for funding will be based on scientific merit, quality of applicant and research environment, and consistency with the overall Talents program goals. Funding decisions will be made in late 2007, and Talents award recipients will be announced in early 2008.

Alberto Martinez, M.D., President and CEO of Talecris Biotherapeutics, spoke about how the Talents program reinforces Talecris' ongoing commitment to IGIV research. "Talecris dedicates significant resources to discovering and developing new innovations that will advance care for patients with immune disorders. We remain committed to expanding our own ongoing R&D efforts by sponsoring external research programs such as Talents."

In 2006, its inaugural year, Talents grants were made to seven investigators in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The grants funded studies ranging from a multicenter clinical registry to establish the efficacy of IGIV in patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) who do not meet normal diagnostic criteria to basic cellular mechanisms by which IGIV mediates immune response. Awarded investigators represented major universities, clinics, and institutions including the University of Calgary (Canada), Children's Research Foundation of Cleveland, Ohio (U.S.), University of Oxford (U.K.), Phoenix Neurological Associates (U.S.), University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (U.S.), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center of Los Angeles (U.S.), and University of Toronto (Canada).

Dr. Melvin Berger, Children's Research Foundation of Cleveland, Cleveland, Ohio, one of seven investigators receiving an inaugural Talents grant, spoke about the program. "The grant we received is providing critical funding for our research examining subcutaneous versus intravenous routes of immune globulin administration in preclinical models of neuromuscular disease. The Talents program is an outstanding model for industry-supported academic research, and we applaud the Talecris commitment to advancing the understanding of immune disorders and the role of IGIV treatment."

Rene McRogers is Deputy Director of Scientific Relations and Communications and the Talents Program Chair at Talecris Biotherapeutics. "Now that we are accepting LOIs for 2007, we are looking forward to increasing the number beyond the more than 50 we received in 2006. On behalf of the Talents Evaluation Committee, I invite all interested investigators to consider Talents as a possible funding source for their IGIV-related research project."

All information about the Talents program, including how to apply, is available on Talecris' Talents Web site, www.talecristalents.com.

About Talecris Biotherapeutics: Inspiration. Dedication. Innovation.

Talecris Biotherapeutics is a global biotherapeutic and biotechnology company that discovers, develops and produces critical care treatments for people with life-threatening disorders in a variety of therapeutic areas including immunology, pulmonology, and hemostasis. Talecris is proudly building upon a 60-year legacy of innovation and a commitment to improving the lives of people who rely on its therapeutic products. With an emphasis on scientific inquiry and technological excellence, Talecris is expanding its current portfolio of products, programs, and services through its own world-class product development organization as well as through strategic initiatives that leverage its strengths with those of its partners.

Talecris, which earned revenues exceeding $1.1 billion in 2006, is headquartered in biotech hub Research Triangle Park, N.C., and employs more than 3,000 talented people worldwide.

To learn more about Talecris and how our employees are making a difference in the lives of patients and the healthcare community, visit www.talecris.com or www.talecrisplasma.com.

CONTACT:

Talecris Biotherapeutics

Lacy McMahon, 919-316-6316

Fax: 919-316-6673

E-mail: lacy.mcmahon@talecris.com