MIAMI, Jan. 25, 2006 – Tomorrow, the Jeffrey Modell Foundation (JMF), together with Talecris Biotherapeutics, will celebrate the opening of the Jeffrey Modell Diagnostic Center for Primary Immunodeficiencies (PI) at the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine. The center is housed within the Department of Pediatrics at the Batchelor Children's Research Institute. The diagnostic center is one of only 24 of its kind in the world focusing on the diagnosis, care and treatment of people suffering with Primary Immunodeficiency (PI), an umbrella term that encompasses more than 120 diseases caused by an immune system that does not function properly.

"Experts have estimated that as many as 500,000 cases of PI remain undiagnosed in the United States," said Fred Modell, co-founder of the JMF. "Our goal is to give every child a chance to lead a healthy, normal life. We are thrilled to form this partnership with the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and with Talecris Biotherapeutics."

A recent survey of the Centers shows they are in fact fulfilling that promise. Survey results reveal that over a two-year period, there was a 79% average-annual increase in the number of patients diagnosed with PI, and a 58% increase in the number of PI patients receiving treatment. PI affects males and females of all ages, but the most severe forms are frequently detected in childhood. Symptoms of a PI disease are often overlooked because they appear to be common childhood illnesses such as sinus infections, pneumonia, fever, and bronchitis. For this reason, families and doctors are often unaware that the troubling conditions that they are dealing with are actually rooted in a defect in the immune system and treat the symptoms rather than addressing the underlying cause. Failure to diagnose PI can lead to serious chronic illness, permanent damage to health, or even death.

"Early recognition and diagnosis of PI can save lives and improve the health outcomes for these patients," said Gary Kleiner, M.D., Ph.D., director of the PI program and co-director of the Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Unit at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. "The educational and diagnostic programs made possible through this support will be vital to the establishment of a center of excellence for diagnosis and treatment of patients with PID and will provide cutting edge research and diagnostic opportunities not only to South Florida but to Latin America and the Caribbean as well."

"The JMF's unwavering dedication to the early diagnosis and treatment of PI is evident through their many very successful endeavors, the most recent being the opening of this modern diagnostic facility at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine,"

Alberto Martinez, MD, a pediatrician and President and CEO, Talecris Biotherapeutics. "Talecris is proud to partner with JMF and the University of Miami to launch this Center in an effort to increase awareness and improve the lives of so many patients with PI."

Talecris and the JMF are long-standing partners in the effort to raise awareness and increase diagnosis of PI globally. In addition to uniting to establish other similar diagnostic centers around the world, Talecris and JMF collaborated in 2005 to raise PI awareness in Florida through an impressive outreach program targeted at daycare directors, elementary and middle school nurses, and a variety of healthcare providers.

About Jeffrey Modell Foundation
The Jeffrey Modell Foundation was established in 1987 by Vicki and Fred Modell in memory of their son Jeffrey, who died at the age of 15 of a PI disease. The Foundation is dedicated to early and precise diagnosis, meaningful treatments, and ultimately cures of primary immunodeficiencies. More information on PI can be found at www.info4pi.org or by calling the JMF hotline at 1-866-INFO-4-PI.

About The University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
The University of Miami School of Medicine, an academic medical center founded in 1952, is proud to serve Miami-Dade, South Florida, South America, and the Caribbean in education, research, patient care, and community service.

The founders of the School of Medicine were true visionaries. They anticipated the tremendous need for excellence in medical care within their community, and set into motion the plan for a facility that now treats more than 1,000,000 patients annually.

About Talecris Biotherapeutics
Talecris is a leading biological products and biotechnology company with a 60-year legacy of providing critical care treatments for people with rare, life-threatening disorders such as immune deficiencies, genetic emphysema, hemophilia and other coagulopathies. Through its people, technology, strategic partnerships, and state-of-the-art facilities, Talecris is well positioned to build on its history of innovation to become the recognized global leader in developing and delivering premium protein products. Talecris is committed to expanding its broad portfolio of products, programs, and services to establish new standards of care and continue its exceptional customer service. Additional information about Talecris can be found at www.talecris.com.