Chiron Corporation Donates 9.5 Million Vaccine Doses to Polio Global Eradication Initiative * Delivery will fulfill company's pledge to help eradicate polio thr

EMERYVILLE (USA) Aug 7 (PROTEXT/ots) - Chiron Corporation (Nasdaq: CHIR) announced today that the company's vaccine business unit will donate 9.5 million doses of poliomyelitis (polio) vaccine to the polio Global Eradication Initiative during the summer months. The donation will fulfill Chiron's 1996 commitment to donate 30 million doses of polio vaccine to the Initiative for international vaccination campaigns. "Chiron Vaccines made an ambitious pledge to help eradicate this crippling disease, and we are so proud to demonstrate that we will fulfill that pledge," said John Lambert, president, Chiron Vaccines. "At Chiron, we are committed to making a difference in people's lives. We feel that this vaccine program is one very tangible way to live up to our commitment." The Global Eradication Initiative, launched in 1988, is spearheaded by the World Health Organization (WHO), Rotary International, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and prevention (CDC) and UNICEF. Chiron Vaccines joined the initiative in 1996, and provided more than 20 million doses of polio vaccine to the WHO and UNICEF between 1997 and '98. The World Health Organization (WHO) has targeted 2005 as a global eradication date for polio. The donation announcement made by Chiron coincides with the June 21 announcement by the European Regional Commission for the Certification of Poliomyelitis Eradication that Europe is officially polio-free. "Polio-free Europe is one tremendous step toward eradication of this disease," said Lambert. "However, polio is an extremely infectious disease, and the growing mobility of the world's population creates the risk that polio will be re-introduced to countries where it has previously been eradicated. Through the donation of high-quality vaccines, Chiron is pleased to be helping ensure that the Eradication Initiative achieves its goal of European eradication by 2005." About Chiron Vaccines Chiron Vaccines, the fifth largest vaccine business in the world, currently markets more than 30 novel and conventional vaccines for adults and children throughout the world. . The mission of Chiron Vaccines is to bring to the market, through innovation and creativity, biological solutions needed for the prevention and treatment of infectious disease. Every second, 25 people across more than 70 countries of the world are vaccinated with a Chiron vaccine. About Chiron Corporation Chiron Corporation, headquartered in Emeryville, California, is a global pharmaceutical company that leverages a diverse business model to develop and commercialize high-value products that make a difference in people's lives. The company has a strategic focus on cancer and infectious disease. Chiron applies its advanced understanding of the biology of cancer and infectious disease to develop products from its platforms in proteins, small molecules and vaccines. The company commercializes its products through three business units: Biopharmaceuticals, vaccines and blood testing. For more information about Chiron, visit the company's website at http://www.chiron.com. ots Original Text: Chiron Behring GmbH Contact: In the United States John Gallagher Chiron Corporation (USA) Media Relations Manager +1.510.923.6905 In Germany Dr. Brigitte Wolter Chiron Behring GmbH & Co (Germany) Head of Public Affairs / Corp. Comm. +49 6421 39 3265 This news release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding sales growth, product development initiatives, new product marketing, acquisitions and in- and out- licensing activities, that involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change. A full discussion of the company's operations and financial condition, including factors that may affect its business and future prospects, is contained in documents the company has filed with the SEC, including the form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001, and the form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2002, and will be contained in all subsequent periodic filings made with the SEC. These documents identify important factors that could cause the company's actual performance to differ from current expectations, including the outcome of clinical trials, regulatory review and approvals, manufacturing capabilities, intellectual property protections and defenses, stock-price and interest-rate volatility, and marketing effectiveness. In particular, there can be no assurance that Chiron will increase sales of existing products, successfully develop and receive approval to market new products, or achieve market acceptance for such new products. 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