<SUBMISSION>
<ACCESSION-NUMBER>0001193125-09-165340
<TYPE>8-K
<PUBLIC-DOCUMENT-COUNT>2
<PERIOD>20090730
<ITEMS>5.02
<ITEMS>9.01
<FILING-DATE>20090805
<DATE-OF-FILING-DATE-CHANGE>20090805
<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>09988217
</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:3px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="5"><B>UNITED STATES </B></FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="5"><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="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P><center> <P
STYLE="line-height:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:2px;border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <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="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P><center> <P STYLE="line-height:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:2px;border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <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"><B>Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): July&nbsp;30, 2009 </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P><center> <P
STYLE="line-height:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:2px;border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <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><center> <P STYLE="line-height:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:2px;border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <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"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(State or other jurisdiction</B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1px" ALIGN="center"><FONT
FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>of incorporation)</B></FONT></P></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"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(IRS Employer</B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"
SIZE="1"><B>Identification No.)</B></FONT></P></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"><B>Registrant&#146;s telephone number, including area code: (925)&nbsp;288-6000 </B></FONT></P> <P
STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P><center> <P STYLE="line-height:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:2px;border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <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:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="line-height:3px;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">
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Item&nbsp;5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers;
Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers. </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><I>Employment Agreement with Laurence Corash </I></FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">On July&nbsp;30, 2009, Cerus Corporation (the &#147;Company&#148;) entered into an employment letter with Laurence Corash (the &#147;Employment
Letter&#148;). Pursuant to the terms of the Employment Letter, Dr.&nbsp;Corash will serve as the Company&#146;s Senior Vice President&nbsp;&amp; Chief Medical and Chief Scientific Officer and is eligible to receive the following compensation,
effective as of May&nbsp;1, 2009 (the &#147;Effective Date&#148;): </FONT></P> <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="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">&#149;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">A semi-monthly base salary of $10,156.25; </FONT></P></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="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">&#149;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Continued participation in the Company&#146;s Bonus Plan for Senior Management of Cerus Corporation, in the cash and stock allocations set forth in the Employment
Letter, and in accordance with the terms, conditions and limitations of the plan, a copy of which was filed as Exhibit 10.53 to the Company&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (No. 000-21937) on May&nbsp;2, 2006; </FONT></P></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="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">&#149;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Subject to approval of the Board of Directors, and so long as Dr.&nbsp;Corash remains an employee of the Company in good standing, an annual stock award at the end
of each calendar year (the &#147;Stock Award&#148;). The number of shares of stock for the Stock Award will be determined pursuant to a formula set forth in the Employment Letter; and </FONT></P></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="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">&#149;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">The base salary and Stock Award program provided in the Employment Letter will not be modified without Dr.&nbsp;Corash&#146;s consent for at least one (1)&nbsp;year
from the Effective Date, conditioned on Dr.&nbsp;Corash&#146;s continued at-will employment with the Company. The combined amount of Dr.&nbsp;Corash&#146;s annual compensation, including his semi-monthly base salary and the Stock Award (but
excluding any compensation provided under the Bonus Plan for Senior Management), is approximately $375,000. </FONT></P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">The
foregoing description is a summary and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Employment Letter. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Item&nbsp;9.01. Financial Statements and
Exhibits. </B></FONT></P> <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="8%"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" 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: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="8%"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="6%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">10.44</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Employment Letter, by and between the Company and Laurence Corash, dated July&nbsp;30, 2009. </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:6px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><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 WIDTH="48%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="48%"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="3"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>CERUS CORPORATION</B></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Dated: August 4, 2009</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">By:</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1px;border-bottom:1px solid #000000"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Howard G. Ervin</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></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="bottom"></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 WIDTH="5%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="2%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="93%"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP> <P STYLE="border-bottom:1px solid #000000;width:28pt"><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"> <P STYLE="border-bottom:1px solid #000000;width:39pt"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>Description</B></FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">10.44</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Employment Letter, by and between the Company and Laurence Corash, dated July 30, 2009.</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-10.44
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>dex1044.htm
<DESCRIPTION>EMPLOYMENT LETTER
<TEXT>
<HTML><HEAD>
<TITLE>Employment Letter</TITLE>
</HEAD>
 <BODY BGCOLOR="WHITE">
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="right"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Exhibit 10.44 </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"
SIZE="2">July&nbsp;29, 2009 </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Laurence Corash </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Re:
Employment Terms </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Dear Larry: </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">This letter agreement (the
&#147;<B>Agreement</B>&#148;) memorializes your employment terms with Cerus Corporation (&#147;<B>Cerus</B>&#148; or the &#147;<B>Company</B>&#148;), including your new position and compensation terms. These terms became effective as of May&nbsp;1,
2009 (the &#147;<B>Effective Date</B>&#148;). You must sign and return this Agreement within five (5)&nbsp;business days after receipt of the final Agreement in order to accept continued employment with Cerus under the terms provided herein.
</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>P<SMALL>OSITION</SMALL> <SMALL>AND</SMALL> D<SMALL>UTIES</SMALL> </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT
FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Your position is the full-time position of Sr. Vice President&nbsp;&amp; Chief Medical and Chief Scientific Officer. Your primary role will be to provide commercial support for the INTERCEPT products by cultivating
and maintaining key relationships with outside business partners, investment community, patient advocacy organizations, scientific and clinical advisors, and therapeutic thought-leaders, and to represent Cerus in government relation programs.<B>
</B>You will report to Claes Glassell, President and CEO, and you will work at the Company&#146;s offices in Concord, California. The Company may change your position, duties, reporting relationship, hours, and work location from time to time in its
discretion. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>C<SMALL>OMPENSATION</SMALL>, B<SMALL>ENEFITS</SMALL> <SMALL>AND</SMALL> E<SMALL>QUITY</SMALL> </B></FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">You will be paid semi-monthly at the base salary rate of $10,156.25, which calculates to an annual salary of $243,750.00 (the quoting of an annual salary is for
illustrative purposes only). The combined annual value of your base salary and annual stock award (described below) is anticipated to be approximately $375,000, subject to change as provided herein. As discussed with you, the Company agrees that the
base salary and stock program (as defined below) will not be modified without your consent for at least one (1)&nbsp;year from the effective date, conditioned on your continued employment. Thereafter, the Company will review your compensation terms
for potential modification. We agree that this guaranteed minimal compensation structure does not modify your at-will employment status, and both you and the Company retain the discretion to terminate your employment at any time, with or without
cause, and with or without advance notice. </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"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">In addition, you will receive an annual stock award if you remain an employee in good standing through the end of each
calendar year; or, if this annual stock award program (the &#147;<B>Stock Program</B>&#148;) is terminated by the Company mid-year during your continued employment, you will receive a prorated stock award for the calendar year in which the Stock
Program is terminated (with the proration to be based on the date that the Stock Program is terminated, in the same manner as the stock award will be prorated in the event of termination of your employment). The stock award will be provided to you
on or about the first business day of the following calendar year; or, if the Stock Program is terminated mid-year, the prorated stock award will be provided to you within thirty (30)&nbsp;days after termination of the Stock Program. The number of
shares of stock for the award will be determined by: (1)&nbsp;taking the dollar amount that is equivalent to 53.85% of the total base salary paid to you for the applicable &#147;stock award&#148; calendar year (provided that, for 2009, the dollar
amount will be 53.85% of the total base salary paid to you between the Effective Date and December&nbsp;31, 2009), and (2)&nbsp;dividing the resulting number by the average daily closing price for Cerus stock during the applicable bonus year
(provided that, for 2009, this time period will be from the Effective Date through December&nbsp;31, 2009, rather than all of 2009). If your employment terminates for any reason prior to the end of a calendar year in which the Stock Program remains
in effect (whether such termination of employment is at your request or the Company&#146;s request), then you will receive a partial stock award that will be prorated (both in determination of the dollar amount and the average daily closing price
for the Company&#146;s stock) based on your employment termination date. You will remain eligible for annual stock awards as described in this paragraph each calendar year during your continued employment, unless the Company provides you written
notice that this Stock Program is terminated (or otherwise modified), as determined in the Company&#146;s sole discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing conditions, the Board retains the sole discretion to pay you a cash award equal to 53.85% of
your base salary (to be paid no later than March&nbsp;15 of the following calendar year) rather than provide any stock awards under the Stock Program, or a prorated cash award that is equal to a prorated portion of your base salary in lieu of a
prorated stock award (if you are otherwise eligible for a prorated stock award at such time rather than a full stock award). </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">In addition, you will
continue to participate in the Company&#146;s Cash Bonus Plan for Senior Management of Cerus Corporation (the &#147;<B>Bonus Plan</B>&#148;), in accordance with the terms, conditions and limitations of the Bonus Plan. However, for any annual bonus
provided, the &#147;cash&#148; portion of the bonus will be paid 65% in cash and 35% in Cerus stock. Annual bonuses are not guaranteed and such bonuses, if any, are awarded at the sole discretion of the Company&#146;s Board of Directors
(&#147;<B>Board</B>&#148;). For purposes of calculating any annual bonus under the Bonus Plan, the Board will use the combined annual value of your base salary and stock award provided under the Stock Program during years in which the Stock Program
remains in effect, rather than your base salary alone. As provided in the Bonus Plan, you must remain employed through the date the bonus is paid in order to earn and be eligible to receive a bonus; no pro rata or partial bonuses will be provided.
The Board shall have the sole discretion to change or eliminate the Bonus Plan at any time, and to determine the amount of bonus earned, if any. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">In
addition to your base salary and stock awards under the Stock Program, you will continue to participate in all of Cerus&#146; standard employee benefits plans in accordance with the terms and conditions of such plans, which include employer
subsidized medical, dental and vision plan coverage, long term disability insurance, life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and Cerus&#146; Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also accrue paid vacation at the annual rate of 20 days. You should note that
Cerus may modify compensation and benefits from time to time in its discretion. </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"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Your stock options will continue to vest on their current vesting schedules, and nothing in this Agreement is intended to
alter your existing stock options with the Company. In addition to any equity awards you have previously received, you shall be eligible to receive additional equity awards under the Company&#146;s 2008 Equity Incentive Plan and various equity
incentive and bonus programs that may be approved from time to time by the Board in its sole discretion. Of course, additional equity awards are not guaranteed. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"
SIZE="2"><B>A<SMALL>DDITIONAL</SMALL> T<SMALL>ERMS</SMALL> <SMALL>OF</SMALL> E<SMALL>MPLOYMENT</SMALL> </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Normal working hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00
p.m., Monday through Friday. As an exempt employee, you will be occasionally asked to work additional hours as required by your assignments and you will not be eligible for overtime compensation. </FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">As a Cerus employee you will be expected to continue to abide by Company rules and regulations. From time to time, you will be specifically required to sign an
acknowledgment that you have read, understand and will comply with the Company rules and policies contained in the Cerus Employee Handbook. In addition, you must continue to comply with the Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement that you
entered into previously in connection with your employment (the &#147;<B>Proprietary Information Agreement</B>&#148;). </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">In your work for the Company, you
will be expected not to make unauthorized use or disclosure of any confidential information or materials, including trade secrets, of any former employer or other third party to whom you have an obligation of confidentiality. Rather, you will be
expected to use only that information generally known and used by persons with training and experience comparable to your own, which is common knowledge in the industry or otherwise legally in the public domain, or which is otherwise provided or
developed by the Company. By continuing employment with the Company, you are representing to us that you will be able to perform your duties within the guidelines set forth in this paragraph. In addition, by signing this Agreement, you confirm to
the Company that you have no contractual commitments or other legal obligations that might restrict your activities on behalf of the Company in any manner. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"
SIZE="2"><B>A<SMALL>T</SMALL>-W<SMALL>ILL</SMALL> E<SMALL>MPLOYMENT</SMALL> S<SMALL>TATUS</SMALL> </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Your employment status with Cerus is at-will
employment. Accordingly, as an employee you may terminate employment at any time and for any reason whatsoever upon notice to Cerus. Although not required, we request that, in the event of resignation, you give the Company at least two weeks notice
to aid in an orderly transition of your duties and responsibilities. Cerus may terminate your employment at any time, with or without cause and with or without advance notice. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT
FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>M<SMALL>ISCELLANEOUS</SMALL> </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">This Agreement, including the Proprietary Information Agreement and your equity award
agreement(s), constitutes the complete, final and exclusive embodiment of the entire agreement between the Company and you with regard to your employment terms, and it supersedes and replaces any other agreements (whether written or unwritten) you
may have with the Company, </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">
<FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><I>provided however, </I>that this Agreement does not alter or affect the Cerus Corporation Change of Control Severance Benefit Plan. This Agreement is
entered into without reliance on any promise or representation, written or oral, other than those expressly contained herein, and it supersedes any other such promises, warranties or representations. Changes in your employment terms, other than
those changes expressly reserved to the Company&#146;s or Board&#146;s discretion in this Agreement, require a written modification signed by an officer of the Company and by you. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the
laws of the State of California without regard to conflicts of law principles. Any ambiguity in this Agreement shall not be construed against either party as the drafter. Any waiver of a breach of this Agreement, or rights hereunder, shall be in
writing and shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any successive breach or rights hereunder. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts which shall be deemed to be part of one original, and facsimile signatures shall be equivalent to original
signatures. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">To indicate your understanding and acceptance of continued employment with the Company under these terms, please sign and date below, and
return this Agreement to me within five (5)&nbsp;business days. You may retain the enclosed additional copy of this Agreement for your files. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">We look
forward to your favorable reply and to continuing our productive work relationship. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Sincerely, </FONT></P> <P
STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="30%" BORDER="0">

<TR>
<TD WIDTH="100%"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1px;border-bottom:1px solid #000000"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Claes Glassell</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Claes Glassell</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">President and Chief Executive Officer</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0">

<TR>
<TD WIDTH="26%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="42%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="11%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Understood&nbsp;and&nbsp;Accepted</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1px;border-bottom:1px solid #000000"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Laurence Corash</FONT></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Date <U>7/30/09</U></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Laurence Corash</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
</BODY></HTML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SUBMISSION>
