Sec Form 4 Filing - Benjamin Richard J @ CERUS CORP - 2017-03-10

FORM 4 Check this box if no longer subject to Section 16. Form 4 or Form 5 obligations may continue. See Instruction 1(b).

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP Filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Section 17(a) of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 or Section 30(h) of the Investment Company Act of 1940

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1. Name and Address of Reporting Person Benjamin Richard J 2. Issuer Name and Ticker or Trading Symbol CERUS CORP [ CERS] 5. Relationship of Reporting Person(s) to Issuer (Check all applicable) _____ Director _____ 10% Owner X __ Officer (give title below) _____ Other (specify below) Chief Medical Officer (Last) (First) (Middle) C/O CERUS CORPORATION, 2550 STANWELL DRIVE 3. Date of Earliest Transaction (MM/DD/YY) 03/10/2017 (Street) CONCORD, CA94505 4. If Amendment, Date Original Filed (MM/DD/YY) 6. Individual or Joint/Group Filing (Check Applicable Line) __ X __ Form filed by One Reporting Person _____ Form filed by More than One Reporting Person (City) (State) (Zip)

Table I - Non-Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned 1.Title of Security (Instr. 3) 2. Transaction Date (MM/DD/YY) 2A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (MM/DD/YY) 3. Transaction Code (Instr. 8) 4. Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5) 5. Amount of Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 3 and 4) 6. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4) 7. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4) Code V Amount (A) or (D) Price Common Stock 03/10/2017 M 3,000 A 3,000 D Common Stock 03/14/2017 S 1,189 ( 2 ) D $ 4.15 ( 3 ) 1,832 D

Table II - Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned ( e.g. , puts, calls, warrants, options, convertible securities) 1. Title of Derivative Security (Instr. 3) 2. Conversion or Exercise Price of Derivative Security 3. Transaction Date (MM/DD/YY) 3A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (MM/DD/YY) 4. Transaction Code (Instr. 8) 5. Number of Derivative Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed of (D) (Instr. 3, 4, and 5) 6. Date Exercisable and Expiration Date (MM/DD/YY) 7. Title and Amount of Underlying Securities (Instr. 3 and 4) 8. Price of Derivative Security (Instr. 5) 9. Number of Derivative Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 4) 10. Ownership Form of Derivative Security: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4) 11. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4) Code V (A) (D) Date Exercisable Expiration Date Title Amount or Number of Shares Restricted Stock Unit ( 1 ) 03/10/2017 M 3,000 ( 4 ) ( 4 ) Common Stock 3,000 ( 5 ) 6,000 D

Reporting Owners Reporting Owner Name / Address Relationships Director 10% Owner Officer Other Benjamin Richard J C/O CERUS CORPORATION 2550 STANWELL DRIVE CONCORD, CA94505 Chief Medical Officer Signatures Richard J. Benjamin by Chrystal Menard, attorney-in-fact 03/15/2017 Signature of Reporting Person Date

Explanation of Responses:

( 1 )Each restricted stock unit represents a contingent right to receive one (1) share of Cerus Common Stock. ( 2 )Represents the number of shares required to be sold to cover the statutory tax withholding obligations in connection with the vesting of the restricted stock units listed in Table II. This sale is mandated by the election to satisfy the minimum statutory tax withholding obligations through a "sell to cover" transaction and does not represent a discretionary sale by the reporting person. ( 3 )The reported price in column 4 is a weighted average price. These shares were sold in multiple transactions at prices ranging from $4.15 to $4.155 per share, inclusive. The reporting person undertakes to provide to the Issuer, any security holder of the Issuer, or the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission, upon request, full information regarding the number of shares sold at each separate price within the aforementioned range set forth. ( 4 )The restricted stock unit vests in three equal annual installments beginning on March 10, 2017. ( 5 )Not applicable.

Reminder: Report on a separate line for each class of securities beneficially owned directly or indirectly.

* If the form is filed by more than one reporting person, see Instruction 4(b)(v).

** Intentional misstatements or omissions of facts constitute Federal Criminal Violations. See 18 U.S.C. 1001 and 15 U.S.C. 78ff(a).

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