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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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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