CONCORD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr. 14, 2009--
Cerus Corporation (NASDAQ:CERS) announced today that the Belgian Red
Cross, Service Francophone du Sang (SFS), has signed a contract to
purchase the INTERCEPT platelet system. The SFS is one of two major Red
Cross blood services in Belgium, supplying blood to the Wallonia region
and part of Brussels, with principal blood centers in Brabant-Hainaut,
Liège, and Namur. Approximately 30% of Belgium’s platelet components, an
estimated 17,500 units annually, are produced by the SFS.
“Cerus commends the SFS on their commitment to providing improved
protection for platelet transfusion recipients,” said Claes Glassell,
president and CEO of Cerus Corporation. “We believe the Belgian Red
Cross chose to sign a contract with us prior to finalization of official
governmental reimbursement because of the safety benefits inherent in
the INTERCEPT Blood System. This is another key development in the
commercialization of the INTERCEPT Blood System in Europe.”
Use of pathogen inactivation for transfused plasma was mandated in
Belgium in 2007, and in 2008 the High Council of Health issued a
recommendation for universal implementation of pathogen-inactivated
platelets to reduce the risk of transfusion-transmitted infections. The
INTERCEPT platelet system is already used by Belgian blood centers in
Yvoir, Brugge, and Charleroi, and also by the Belgian Army blood service.
ABOUT THE INTERCEPT BLOOD SYSTEM
The INTERCEPT Blood System is designed to reduce the risk of
transfusion-transmitted diseases by inactivating a broad range of known
and emerging pathogens, including viruses, bacteria and parasites, as
well as harmful white blood cells that may be present in donated blood
intended for transfusion. The system inactivates pathogens using a
proprietary illumination device, process and active compound. The
INTERCEPT Blood System is designed for easy integration with routine
blood center operations, and treated platelets are approved for storage
up to seven days according to local guidelines. The INTERCEPT Blood
System has received CE mark approvals for both the platelet and plasma
systems, and may replace gamma irradiation for protection against
transfusion-associated graft-vs-host disease. The INTERCEPT Blood System
has customers in 18 countries.
ABOUT CERUS
Cerus Corporation is a biomedical products company focused on
commercializing the INTERCEPT Blood System to enhance blood safety.
Cerus currently markets the INTERCEPT Blood System for both platelets
and plasma in Europe and the Middle East. The company is also pursuing
regulatory approvals in the United States and other countries. The
INTERCEPT red blood cell system is currently in clinical development.
INTERCEPT and the INTERCEPT Blood System are trademarks of Cerus
Corporation.
Source: Cerus Corporation
Cerus Corporation
Lainie Corten, 925-288-6319
Marketing
Director