Talecris Biotherapeutics CEO Accepts 2010 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Award on Behalf of Employees and Patients

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., June 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Lawrence D. Stern, chairman and CEO of Talecris Biotherapeutics (Nasdaq: TLCR), received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2010 Award in the health sciences category in the Carolinas at a ceremony last night in Charlotte, N.C. The Ernst & Young awards program recognizes entrepreneurs who demonstrate extraordinary success in the areas of innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses.

Stern was one of ten CEOs selected as a winner from among 27 finalists by a panel of independent judges composed of prominent business leaders in North Carolina.

"I am honored to accept this award on behalf of Talecris employees and the patients whose lives are saved and enhanced by the critical-care therapies we discover and produce," said Stern. "This award represents not only my own entrepreneurial vision for the company, but the immense talent, spirit and drive of the Talecris employees who have translated our vision into a reality."  

Stern led the formation of Talecris in 2005 upon acquiring the assets of a division of Bayer Corporation. From these assets, the Talecris leadership team built new systems and processes to sustain the company's long-term growth and success as a global leader in developing, manufacturing and marketing protein therapies derived from human plasma. In five years' time, the company doubled its revenue, tripled the number of employees, launched new products and expanded its global presence. In 2009, Talecris achieved record sales of $1.53 billion.

About Talecris Biotherapeutics: Inspiration. Dedication. Innovation.

Talecris Biotherapeutics is a global biotherapeutic and biotechnology company that discovers, develops and produces critical care treatments for people with life-threatening disorders in a variety of therapeutic areas including immunology, pulmonology, neurology and hemostasis. For more information, please visit: www.talecris.com

About Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur Of The Year(R) Awards Program

Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur Of The Year® is the world's most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The award recognizes the contribution of individuals who inspire others through their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only global award of its kind, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 135 cities in 50 countries.

SOURCE Talecris Biotherapeutics