FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                 EXHIBIT 99


Media contacts:            Deborah Spak, (847) 948-2349
                           Margaret Stanford Shubny, (847) 948-3951
                           Tali Kaplan, (818) 550-4680

Investor contacts:         Neville Jeharajah, (847) 948-2875
                           Mary Kay Ladone, (847) 948-3371


               BAXTER CONFIRMS ROLE IN SMALLPOX VACCINE PRODUCTION

Deerfield, Ill., November 28, 2001 - Baxter Healthcare Corporation confirmed
today that it will participate in the production of approximately 155 million
doses of smallpox vaccine, in conjunction with Acambis Inc.

The U.S. Secretary for Health and Human Services, Tommy G. Thompson, announced
today the contract to produce the smallpox vaccine in preparation for potential
bioterrorist activities.

Baxter will assist Acambis in production of the vaccine in strict compliance
with specifications of the U.S. government. The U.S. government has requested
that the vaccine be available within 12 months, and Acambis and Baxter are
prepared to begin producing the smallpox vaccine immediately. In accordance with
Acambis' contract with the U.S. government, Acambis and Baxter are prohibited
from disclosure of additional details related to production of the vaccine.

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"It's unfortunate that a disease that scientists and health-care workers
throughout the world devoted decades to eradicating is now a bioterrorist
threat. We are proud to provide the necessary technology, manufacturing
expertise and other resources to assist the U.S. government in its efforts to
protect individuals from potential bioterrorism," said Thomas Glanzmann,
president of Baxter's BioScience business.

"This represents an important opportunity for Baxter team members to directly
contribute to the health and security of the United States, and potentially the
rest of the world," added Harry M. Jansen Kraemer, Jr., Baxter's chairman and
chief executive officer. "Our innovation in vaccines, proprietary technologies
and state-of-the-art facilities will enable us to meet this very important
need."

Baxter has a broad pipeline of vaccines with more than a dozen vaccines at all
stages of development from pre-clinical to pre-launch, including influenza and
various meningococcal combination conjugates. Baxter's NeisVac-C meningococcal
vaccine was approved in the United Kingdom in 2000 and is licensed in 16
countries.

Consistent with the company's previously announced plans to increase its
investments in research and development and capital expenditures in 2002 by more
than 20 percent, Baxter plans to re-invest any proceeds from this project in the
development of new vaccines, recombinant proteins, drug delivery platforms,
oncology products and renal dialysis solutions, as well as continued expansion
of production capacity. As the company has previously communicated, Baxter has
established the following financial commitments for 2002:

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 .    Accelerate sales growth to the low-teens (at current foreign exchange
     rates).

 .    Grow earnings-per-share in the mid-teens.

 .    Generate operational cash flow of at least $500 million.


     In September 2000, Acambis and Baxter announced an alliance comprising
several agreements to better position each company in the development and
commercialization of their respective vaccine pipelines. Under the terms of
these agreements, Baxter agreed to purchase (pound)27.8 million (or
approximately $40 million) of new Acambis ordinary shares at an average
per-share price of (pound)1.30. The investment is being made in four
installments over a two-and-one-half year period. Currently, Baxter holds an
approximate 13 percent stake in Acambis.

Baxter Healthcare Corporation is the principal domestic operating subsidiary of
Baxter International Inc. (NYSE: BAX). Baxter is a global medical products and
services company that, through its subsidiaries, provides critical therapies for
people with life-threatening conditions. Baxter's products and services in the
areas of bioscience, medication delivery and renal therapy are used by
health-care providers and their patients in more than 100 countries. In addition
to vaccines, Baxter's BioScience business develops and produces therapeutic
proteins from plasma and through recombinant methods to treat hemophilia, immune
deficiencies and other blood-related disorders, and biosurgery products.

(Baxter and NeisVac-C are trademarks of Baxter International Inc. and its
affiliates.)


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This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties, including technological advances in the medical field, product
demand and market acceptance, the effect of economic conditions, actions of
regulatory bodies, the impact of competitive products and pricing, foreign
currency exchange rates and other risks detailed in the company's filings with
the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements are
based on estimates and assumptions made by management of the company and are
believed to be reasonable, though are inherently uncertain and difficult to
predict. Actual results or experience could differ materially from the
forward-looking statements.

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