Heparin probe finds U.S. tie to Chinese plant

Baxter International Inc.'s investigation into the cause of deaths and allergic reactions linked to its blood-thinner heparin is focusing on variations in batches of the active ingredient for the drug, most of which were supplied by a Chinese manufacturing facility co-owned by a Wisconsin company. Baxter said the active ingredient for its heparin was supplied by Scientific Protein Laboratories LLC, a Waunakee, WI, company with a manufacturing facility there and a joint-venture operation called Changzhou SPL in Changzhou, China.