8-K

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  June 5, 2003

CERUS CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	0-21937	68-0262011
(State of jurisdiction)	(Commission File No.)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

2411 Stanwell Drive
Concord, California 94520

(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (925) 288-6000

Item 5.  Other Events.

On June 5, 2003, Cerus Corporation (the “Company”) announced that it has commenced a public offering of 6,000,000 shares of its common stock.  Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated is acting as the underwriter for the offering.  A copy of the Company’s press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 7.  Exhibits.

Exhibit Number	Description of Exhibit
99.1	Press Release, dated June 5, 2003, entitled “Cerus Corporation Public Offering Of Common Stock.”

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SIGNATURE

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.

	CERUS CORPORATION
Dated:  June 5, 2003	By:	/s/  Gregory W. Schafer
		Gregory W. Schafer
		Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer

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Index to Exhibits

Exhibit Number	Description of Exhibit
99.1	Press Release, dated June 5, 2003, entitled “Cerus Corporation Public Offering Of Common Stock.”

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EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

Contact:

Greg Schafer

Chief Financial Officer

Cerus Corporation

(925) 288-6109

CERUS CORPORATION PUBLIC OFFERING OF COMMON STOCK

CONCORD, Calif., June 5, 2003 – Cerus Corporation (Nasdaq: CERS) today announced that it has commenced a public offering of 6,000,000 shares of its common stock. Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated is acting as the underwriter for the offering.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.  This offering is being made only by means of a prospectus.  Copies of the prospectus can be obtained from Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated or by calling the Company.

ABOUT CERUS

Cerus Corporation is developing medical systems and therapeutics to provide safer and more effective options to patients. The company is developing products based on its proprietary Helinx^® technology for controlling biological replication. Cerus’ most advanced programs are focused on systems to enhance the safety of the world’s blood supply. The INTERCEPT Blood System, which is being developed in collaboration with subsidiaries of Baxter International Inc. is based on the company’s Helinx technology.  The Intercept Blood System is designed to inactivate viruses, bacteria, other pathogens

and white blood cells. The Concord, California-based company also is pursuing therapeutic applications of Helinx technology to treat and prevent serious diseases.

Helinx is a trademark of Cerus Corporation

INTERCEPT and INTERCEPT Blood are trademarks of Baxter International Inc.

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