<SUBMISSION>
<ACCESSION-NUMBER>0001193125-09-058650
<TYPE>8-K
<PUBLIC-DOCUMENT-COUNT>3
<PERIOD>20090314
<ITEMS>5.02
<ITEMS>8.01
<ITEMS>9.01
<FILING-DATE>20090319
<DATE-OF-FILING-DATE-CHANGE>20090319
<FILER>
<COMPANY-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>CERUS CORP
<CIK>0001020214
<ASSIGNED-SIC>3841
<IRS-NUMBER>680262011
<STATE-OF-INCORPORATION>DE
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>1231
</COMPANY-DATA>
<FILING-VALUES>
<FORM-TYPE>8-K
<ACT>34
<FILE-NUMBER>000-21937
<FILM-NUMBER>09693679
</FILING-VALUES>
<BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>2411 STANWELL DR
<CITY>CONCORD
<STATE>CA
<ZIP>94520
<PHONE>9252886000
</BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<MAIL-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>2525 STANWELL DRIVE
<STREET2>STE 300
<CITY>CONCORD
<STATE>CA
<ZIP>94520
</MAIL-ADDRESS>
<FORMER-COMPANY>
<FORMER-CONFORMED-NAME>CERUS TECHNOLOGIES INC
<DATE-CHANGED>19960731
</FORMER-COMPANY>
</FILER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>8-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>d8k.htm
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 8-K
<TEXT>
<HTML><HEAD>
<TITLE>Form 8-K</TITLE>
</HEAD>
 <BODY BGCOLOR="WHITE">
 <P STYLE="line-height:0px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;border-bottom:0.5pt solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P
STYLE="line-height:3px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:2px;border-bottom:0.5pt solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="4"><B>UNITED STATES </B></FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="4"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"
SIZE="3"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549 </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="5"><B>FORM 8-K </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT
FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="3"><B>CURRENT REPORT </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="3"><B>Pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or 15(d) of the </B></FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="3"><B>Securities Exchange Act of 1934 </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Date
of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March&nbsp;14, 2009 </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="6"><B>CERUS CORPORATION </B></FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" ALIGN="center">

<TR>
<TD WIDTH="34%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="32%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="32%"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Delaware</B></FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>0-21937</B></FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>68-0262011</B></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(State of jurisdiction)</B></FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(Commission File No.)</B></FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(IRS Employer Identification No.)</B></FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>2411 Stanwell Drive </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"
ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Concord, California 94520 </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(Address of principal executive offices and zip
code) </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Registrant&#146;s telephone number, including area code: (925)&nbsp;288-6000 </FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following
provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below): </FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><FONT FACE="WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><FONT FACE="WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P
STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><FONT FACE="WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P
STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><FONT FACE="WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P
STYLE="font-size:24px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="line-height:0px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;border-bottom:0.5pt solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P
STYLE="line-height:3px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:2px;border-bottom:0.5pt solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>

<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" COLOR="#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">

<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="9%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Item&nbsp;5.02.</B></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers. </B></FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><I>Departure of Chief Financing Officer </I></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">On
March&nbsp;18, 2009, Cerus Corporation (the &#147;Company&#148;) announced that its Chief Financial Officer, William J. Dawson, has decided to leave the company on April&nbsp;30, 2009, to pursue other professional interests. At such time,
Mr.&nbsp;Dawson will cease to be a named executive officer of the Company, as defined in Item&nbsp;402(a)(3) of Regulation S-K, C.F.R. &#167; 229.10, <I>et. seq.</I> </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT
FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><I>Appointment of New Chief Accounting Officer </I></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">On March&nbsp;14, 2009, the Board of Directors of the
Company appointed Kevin D. Green, to serve as the Company&#146;s Chief Accounting Officer effective as of March&nbsp;18, 2009. Mr.&nbsp;Green, age 37, has been the Company&#146;s Senior Director of Finance and Controller since January 2006. From
2000 until 2006, Mr.&nbsp;Green held various financial management positions with Macromedia, Inc., a software company acquired by Adobe Systems in 2005, including Director of Finance and Assistant Controller. Prior to joining Macromedia,
Mr.&nbsp;Green was a member of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in the Assurance and Business Advisory Services division. Mr.&nbsp;Green is a certified public accountant. There is no family relationship between Mr.&nbsp;Green and any executive officer or
member of the Board. The change in Mr.&nbsp;Green&#146;s compensation and benefits as a result of his appointment as Chief Accounting Officer has not yet been determined by the Compensation Committee. </FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">A copy of the Company&#146;s press release announcing the information in this Item&nbsp;5.02 and the information in Item&nbsp;8.01 is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this
filing. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:18px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="9%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Item&nbsp;8.01.</B></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Other Events. </B></FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B></B>On March&nbsp;18, 2009, the
Company announced a reduction in force of 31 employees, or approximately 30 percent of its current work force. The reduction in force is designed to help lower the Company&#146;s operating expenses, conserve its cash resources and meet its capital
requirements into 2010. The Company expects to record a restructuring charge in the first quarter of 2009, including approximately $0.7 million related to this workforce reduction, which the Company does not deem to be material.<B> </B></FONT></P>
<P STYLE="font-size:18px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="9%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Item&nbsp;9.01.</B></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Financial Statements and Exhibits. </B></FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>(d)</B></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B></B>Exhibits </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="92%" BORDER="0" ALIGN="center">

<TR>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="94%"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">99.1</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Press Release, dated March&nbsp;18, 2009, entitled &#147;Cerus Announces Reduction in Force to Reflect Streamlined Operations.&#148;</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">1. </FONT></P>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" COLOR="#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>SIGNATURE </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT
FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. </FONT></P> <P
STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0">

<TR>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="44%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="45%"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD COLSPAN="3" VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>CERUS CORPORATION</B></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="3"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Dated: March&nbsp;19, 2009</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">By:&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" STYLE="BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">/s/ Howard G. Ervin</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Howard G. Ervin,</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Vice President, Legal Affairs</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">2. </FONT></P>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" COLOR="#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>EXHIBIT INDEX </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" ALIGN="center">

<TR>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="5%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="92%"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="border-bottom:1px solid #000000;width:28pt" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>Exhibit<BR>Number</B></FONT></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="border-bottom:1px solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>Description</B></FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">99.1</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Press Release, dated March 18, 2009, entitled &#147;Cerus Announces Reduction in Force to Reflect Streamlined Operations.&#148;</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">3. </FONT></P>

</BODY></HTML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99.1
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>dex991.htm
<DESCRIPTION>PRESS RELEASE, DATED MARCH 18, 2009
<TEXT>
<HTML><HEAD>
<TITLE>Press Release, dated March 18, 2009</TITLE>
</HEAD>
 <BODY BGCOLOR="WHITE">
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="right"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Exhibit 99.1 </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px">

<IMG SRC="g16293g46m49.jpg" ALT="LOGO"> </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Contact: </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Claes Glassell
</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Cerus Corporation </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(925) 288-6000 </FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>CERUS ANNOUNCES REDUCTION IN FORCE TO REFLECT </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"
SIZE="2"><B>STREAMLINED OPERATIONS </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">CONCORD, Calif.&#151;(BUSINESS WIRE)&#151;March 18, 2009&#151;Cerus Corporation (NASDAQ: CERS) announced today a
reduction in force of 31 employees, or approximately 30 percent of its current work force, to lower operating expenses. Cerus expects that once this reduction in force and other cost savings initiatives are fully in place later in 2009, annualized
operating expenses may be reduced by more than $10 million compared to operating expenses in 2008. The company believes that this workforce reduction will help conserve its cash resources and meet its capital requirements into 2010. The company
expects to record a restructuring charge in the first quarter of 2009, including approximately $0.7 million related to this workforce reduction. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"
SIZE="2">Separately, Cerus announced today that its Chief Financial Officer, William J. Dawson, has decided to leave the company on April&nbsp;30, 2009, to pursue other professional interests. The company also promoted Kevin D. Green, its
Controller, to Chief Accounting Officer. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">&#147;Cerus is concentrating its efforts on increasing sales of the INTERCEPT platelet and plasma systems. We
believe this reduction in operating expenses will extend our cash runway, reducing the pressure for a near-term financing,&#148; said Claes Glassell, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cerus. &#147;We thank all of our employees for their hard
work on behalf of the company and their efforts in helping us commercialize the INTERCEPT Blood System. In particular, I would like to thank Bill for his many contributions since joining the company in 2004.&#148; </FONT></P>

<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" COLOR="#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">

<IMG SRC="g16293g46m49.jpg" ALT="LOGO"> </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">In the company&#146;s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December&nbsp;31, 2008, filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on March&nbsp;13, 2009, the company&#146;s independent accounting firm&#146;s report contained a &#147;going concern&#148; opinion. This disclosure regarding the &#147;going concern&#148; opinion is required under NASDAQ
rules, which requires that a company receiving an audit opinion that expresses doubt about the ability of the company to continue as a going concern make a public announcement disclosing the receipt of such opinion. This announcement does not
represent any change or amendment to the Company&#146;s 2008 financial statements or to its Annual Report on Form 10-K. Cerus believes that the actions being taken to further reduce operating expenses, including the reduction in force announced
today, will provide the company with sufficient resources to fund operations into 2010. Cerus had cash and marketable securities of $22.6 million at December&nbsp;31, 2008. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT
FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">The reduction does not affect the company&#146;s sales force in Europe. Cerus remains committed to commercializing the INTERCEPT Blood System in Europe, Russia, the Middle East and in selected regions around the
world. Product sales of the INTERCEPT platelet and plasma systems have grown from $3.0 million in 2006 to $8.0 million in 2007 and to $15.5 million in 2008. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"
SIZE="2">Cerus expects to continue its efforts to establish an acceptable pathway for U.S. regulatory approval of the platelet system. The company also expects to complete a Phase I clinical trial of the INTERCEPT red blood cell system by mid-2009.
Further efforts to gain U.S. regulatory approval of the platelet system and significant development of the red blood cell system are dependent upon securing adequate additional funding to support such activities. The company expects, however, to
continue some level of advancement of the red blood cell system on a cash neutral basis with grant funding and the participation of existing and potential new partners. </FONT></P>

<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" COLOR="#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">

<IMG SRC="g16293g46m49.jpg" ALT="LOGO"> </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>ABOUT CERUS </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Cerus
Corporation is a biomedical products company focused on commercializing the INTERCEPT Blood System to enhance blood safety. The INTERCEPT Blood System is designed to inactivate blood-borne pathogens in donated blood components intended for
transfusion. Cerus currently markets the INTERCEPT Blood System for both platelets and plasma in Europe and the Middle East. The company is also pursuing regulatory approvals in the United States and other countries. The INTERCEPT red blood cell
system is currently in clinical development. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">INTERCEPT and the INTERCEPT Blood System are trademarks of Cerus Corporation. </FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B><I>This press release contains forward-looking statements. Any statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to
be forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding the clinical, regulatory and commercial development of INTERCEPT Blood System products, the estimated charge related to the workforce reduction, the expected
operating expense levels in future periods and the adequacy of cash resources to fund future operations. Actual results could differ materially from these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including, without limitation,
risks associated with the commercialization and market acceptance of the INTERCEPT Blood System, the regulatory approval process, Cerus&#146; need for additional capital, as well as other risks detailed in the company&#146;s filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, including the company&#146;s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December&nbsp;31, 2008. No pathogen inactivation system has been shown to inactivate all pathogens. You are cautioned not to place
undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events, changed
assumptions or otherwise. </I></B></FONT></P>
</BODY></HTML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>GRAPHIC
<SEQUENCE>3
<FILENAME>g16293g46m49.jpg
<DESCRIPTION>GRAPHIC
<TEXT>
begin 644 g16293g46m49.jpg
M_]C_X``02D9)1@`!`0$`8`!@``#_X0!X17AI9@``24DJ``@````&`#$!`@`1
M````5@````$#!0`!````:`````,#`0`!`````I2H`!!1`0`!`````0#__Q%1
M!``!````Q`X``!)1!``!````Q`X```````!-:6-R;W-O9G0@3V9F:6-E`"&@
MA@$`C[$``/_;`$,`"`8&!P8%"`<'!PD)"`H,%`T,"PL,&1(3#Q0=&A\>'1H<
M'"`D+B<@(BPC'!PH-RDL,#$T-#0?)SD].#(\+C,T,O_;`$,!"0D)#`L,&`T-
M&#(A'"$R,C(R,C(R,C(R,C(R,C(R,C(R,C(R,C(R,C(R,C(R,C(R,C(R,C(R
M,C(R,C(R,C(R,O_``!$(`#H`F@,!(@`"$0$#$0'_Q``?```!!0$!`0$!`0``
M`````````0(#!`4&!P@)"@O_Q`"U$``"`0,#`@0#!04$!````7T!`@,`!!$%
M$B$Q008346$'(G$4,H&1H0@C0K'!%5+1\"0S8G*""0H6%Q@9&B4F)R@I*C0U
M-C<X.3I#1$5&1TA)2E-455976%E:8V1E9F=H:6IS='5V=WAY>H.$A8:'B(F*
MDI.4E9:7F)F:HJ.DI::GJ*FJLK.TM;:WN+FZPL/$Q<;'R,G*TM/4U=;7V-G:
MX>+CY.7FY^CIZO'R\_3U]O?X^?K_Q``?`0`#`0$!`0$!`0$!`````````0(#
M!`4&!P@)"@O_Q`"U$0`"`0($!`,$!P4$!``!`G<``0(#$00%(3$&$D%1!V%Q
M$R(R@0@40I&AL<$)(S-2\!5B<M$*%B0TX27Q%Q@9&B8G*"DJ-38W.#DZ0T1%
M1D=(24I35%565UA96F-D969G:&EJ<W1U=G=X>7J"@X2%AH>(B8J2DY25EI>8
MF9JBHZ2EIJ>HJ:JRL[2UMK>XN;K"P\3%QL?(R<K2T]35UM?8V=KBX^3EYN?H
MZ>KR\_3U]O?X^?K_V@`,`P$``A$#$0`_`/?Z*Q_$OB?2_"FE-J&JS^7'G:B*
M,O*W]U1W/Z#O7+6NJ_$+Q*@N=/T_3M!L'YB-_NEG<=CM'`SZ$4`>@T5P4VC?
M$J)-]MXKTNX?'^KFL!&I_%0367H_CGQE;^.+#PQXET6SA:[+;;B`-AE"EMRG
M)!Z>V.XH`]1HKE-3\576GZK/:K!"\<9`!.0>@/K57_A-[G_GSB_[Z->=+-,-
M"3C)ZKR.Z.78B45)+1^9VM%<5_PF]S_SYQ?]]&M+0?$-QJ^HR02PQ)&L1<;<
MYSD#U]ZJGF6'J34(O5^0JF7UZ<7.2T7F='17'23_`!%>YN/L]EX<2W61A#Y\
MTV]DR<$[01G&/SK`?XJ:AX<UV+2O&FA"P$N-EY:R>9&1TW8[CUP<CTKO.(]0
MHJM<///8%].FMQ*ZAHI)5+QD'!S@$9R/>O+!\2?%7_"??\(@;#2!=_:/*\_]
MYLV[=V<;L].<?A0!ZY145N)Q;QBY>-Y]OSM&I52?8$D@?C278N6M7%F\*7'\
M#3(60<]P"#T]Z`)J*\QLO&OBZ[^(%SX0-IHT=Q;*9)+G$A7R]JL"%W9R=R\9
M[^U=#XP\=VOA%+2T-N]_K%YA;>R@X+DG&2>=H)X'4G\\`'6T5Q$4?Q*OH1-)
M<>']-+8(@$4DK+[,V<9^E9I\1>/]$\3:3IVMV6D7%AJ%TL`N[0.-N>2.6X.`
M3R.QZT`>DT444`>+:7*OQ%^--U-=?O=*T)6^S1'E696"@D>[9;Z*!7M->$?L
M^R9U37E=LR-%$W)Y/S-D_J*]WH!A65J>D"_U?1=0!02:=<22$D<E'A="!^+(
M?^`UJT4`-$<8<N$4,>K8YIU<CJ=YX@CU>X2R6X,`8;<0AEZ#H2*C^V>+/^>+
M_P#?I:\YYC",G'DEH^B.Y8&4HJ7/'7S.RIHCC5]X10V,9`YKCC>^+`"?)?\`
M"):O>'[G6IM3D74A.(Q"2N^+:-V5]`.V:<,?"<U#DDK]T*>"E"#ESK3LSI:\
MS^.=A!<^`1=.$\ZUN8VC8]?F^4@?F#CV]J[#Q)XMTKPG!#<:N\T4$S%%E2%G
M7=UP<#@XSCZ'TK@O$$MY\78[+3=#@N+?P\D_FW6IW";!*5R`L:GEL9/XXSC'
M/H'$=;\,GF?X;Z$9R2_V?`S_`'0Q"_\`CN*\W:%&_:BV#Y1O#\>OV/=_.O;+
M"R@TW3[:QM4V6]O$L4:^BJ,#^5>+D@?M2\G'_P#!4#/<****!'DFD_\`)R>N
M_P#7BO\`Z*AKF_B9>7/AGXR:;K]Q"TUJJQ2QKZJO#J#Z]3^(KI-)_P"3D]=_
MZ\5_]%0UW_BKPGI?B_26L-2B)Q\T4R</$WJI_F.AH&6]$U[3?$>FQZAI=TEQ
M;OW4\J?1AU!]C5JYL[>[,)GB#^3*)8\_PN,X/ZFOFS5?#'C'X4:H=2TZXD:R
MR!]K@&8W&>%E3G'X\>AS7K/P\^*%EXR46-VB6FL*N3$#\DP'4IGGZJ>1[\X!
M'H-%%%`'SK;7#?"SXRW'VI632[IF&[MY$ARK>^T@9_W37T1'(DT22Q.KQN`R
MLIR&!Z$'N*YOQIX(TSQMIBVU[F*XBR;>Y09:(GK]0<#(_E7GNCV_Q)^''^@Q
MZ:OB#1D/[M89,L@]%_B7Z$$>E`SVBJ]U?6]DUN+B38;B80Q#!.YR"0./8'\J
MX1/B;J)AR_@#Q0)<?=6S8K^>!_*JVC7'BWQ?XWT[4M5T*71]$TT22Q0SM\\D
MK(4!(."2`Q(X`'/K0(],HKDM2T36+G5[B>UE\J)V!4^:5[#L*K_\(]XA_P"?
M[_R8:O.EC:RDTJ+=CNCA*3BFZJ1VM%<5_P`(]XA_Y_O_`"8:M#0-)U.QU.2:
M];>AB*AO,W<[@?Z&G3QE64U%TFD^HIX6G&+DJB=NAJZWHUEX@T>YTO4(O,MI
MUVL.ZGLP/8@\BO$=`U?4O@[XNET+6M\NA73[XYE4X`Z"11^09?;O@9]^K"\6
M>$]-\8:,^GZ@F"/FAG4?/"WJ/ZCO7H'$;4,T5Q!'-#(DD4BAD=#D,#R"#W%>
M$^*F_L#]H?3]2N?E@NG@<.W0*4\DG\"":V/#%OXY^'%V^E7&ES:[H&2T4EF0
MSQ^ZJ3D>ZGC/0]<[_BSPS9?$[2`BVU]INHVF6@FO+1H^O5#GJ#@=.G7U!!GH
M5%>9:-KWCWPU:)I^O>&)]72$!8[VPF5V=1P-R]2?<X/J.]7+[5O'/B:%['2-
M!;08)1MDU#4)E\Q%/]R->0V._/X=:!&5X(_XG'QE\8:['\UO`@LP_8L"J\?]
M^C^?O7IUG?6U^DKVTHD6*9X'P"-KH=K#GT(K+\)>%K'P?H4>EV)9P&,DLS_>
ME<]6/Y`8]`*X*U'CWP9XFUE[?01K&B7]_-=(D,ZATWL3D=QQC((QGOWH`]6E
MBCGB>*6-9(W!5D<9#`]01W%?-_CKPZG@GXHZ8^A!HTN'BN8(4)_=L7VE![$C
M\CBO6QXXU^XAQ9^`M8:X/`6Y>.%,_P"\3T]\50T/P)JNI>+E\7^,9H'OHL?9
M+&WYCMP,[<D]2"20!WYSVH&>CT444""BBB@`HHHH`****`"BBB@`HHHH`***
4*`"BBB@`HHHH`****`"BBB@#_]D_
`
end
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SUBMISSION>
