EXHIBIT A

                             JOINT FILING AGREEMENT

         Each of the undersigned agrees that (i) the statement on Schedule 13D
relating to the ordinary shares of Cell Therapeutics, Inc., has been adopted and
filed on behalf of each of them, (ii) all future amendments to such statement on
Schedule 13D will, unless written notice to the contrary is delivered as
described below, be jointly filed on behalf of each of them, and (iii) the
provisions of Rule 13d-1(k)(1) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 apply
to each of them. This agreement may be terminated with respect to the
obligations to jointly file future amendments to such statement on Schedule 13D
as to any of the undersigned upon such person giving written notice thereof to
each of the other persons signature hereto, at the principal office thereof.

         This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute
one and the same instrument.


Date: January 26, 2004            ESSEX WOODLANDS HEALTH VENTURES IV, LP

                                     By: Essex Woodlands Health Ventures IV, LLC

                                     /s/ Martin P. Sutter
                                     -------------------------------------------
                                     Name: Martin P. Sutter
                                     Title: Managing Director


                                  ESSEX WOODLANDS HEALTH VENTURES IV, LLC


                                     /s/ Martin P. Sutter
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Name: Martin P. Sutter
                                  Title: Managing Director



                                     /s/ James L. Currie
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Name: James L. Currie


                                     /s/ Martin P. Sutter
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Name: Martin P. Sutter



                                     /s/ Immanuel Thangaraj
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Name: Immanuel Thangaraj