CHIR Chiron (MM)

Chiron Names David Smith CFO EMERYVILLE, Calif., Nov. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Chiron Corporation today announced the appointment of David Smith, 44, to the position of chief financial officer, effective immediately. Mr. Smith had been serving as Chiron's interim chief financial officer while continuing in his role as vice president of finance and principal accounting officer. He will continue to report to Howard Pien, Chiron's president and chief executive officer, as well as continue to serve as a member of Chiron's executive committee. "David is a talented individual, and he has been a key contributor to Chiron's continued success as the company executes on multiple growth and investment initiatives in our blood testing, vaccines and biopharma businesses," said Mr. Pien. "Over the last five years, David has strengthened our financial operations, overseen the financial integration of recent acquisitions and led internal initiatives that ensure robust compliance with new regulations under Sarbanes-Oxley. We look forward to continued success under David's leadership." Mr. Smith joined Chiron Corporation as vice president, corporate controller, in February 1999. Prior to joining Chiron, he served as vice president, finance, and chief financial officer of Anergen, Inc. Prior to that, Mr. Smith held a variety of finance positions with increasing levels of responsibility at Genentech, including an international assignment in Europe. Mr. Smith is an active member of Financial Executives International, where he serves on the executive committee of the committee on corporate reporting. About Chiron Chiron Corporation, headquartered in Emeryville, California, is a global pharmaceutical company that leverages a diverse business model to develop and commercialize high-value products that make a difference in people's lives. The company has a strategic focus on cancer and infectious disease. Chiron applies its advanced understanding of the biology of cancer and infectious disease to develop products from its platforms in proteins, small molecules and vaccines. The company commercializes its products through three business units: BioPharmaceuticals, Vaccines and Blood Testing. For more information about Chiron, visit the company's website at http://www.chiron.com/. This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change. A full discussion of the company's operations and financial condition, including factors that may affect its business and future prospects, is contained in documents the company has filed with the SEC, including the form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2003, and the form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, and will be contained in all subsequent periodic filings made with the SEC. Consistent with SEC Regulation FD, we do not undertake an obligation to update the forward-looking information we are giving today. DATASOURCE: Chiron Corporation CONTACT: Chiron Corporate Communications & Investor Relations, Media: +1-510-923-6500, or Investors: +1-510-923-2300 Web site: http://www.chiron.com/

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