Data Supports Efficacy, Safety, Quality and Feasibility of INTERCEPT
Pathogen Inactivation Process
CONCORD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Cerus Corporation (NASDAQ:CERS) announced results of 22 abstracts
presenting experiences with the INTERCEPT Blood System for platelets,
plasma and red blood cells during the XXXIst International Congress of
the International Society for Blood Transfusion in Berlin, Germany held
from June 26 to July 1. Studies included data collected in Spain,
France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Sweden, Luxembourg and Scotland,
covering a broad range of topics from in vitro results of routine
validations to therapeutic efficacy of treated platelets.
"These studies underscore the growing use of INTERCEPT pathogen
inactivation by blood centers in many European countries, and reflect
our consistent experience that the platelet and plasma treatment
processes are rapidly and successfully integrated into routine
production," said Dr. Laurence Corash, Cerus' chief medical officer.
"The INTERCEPT red blood cell study published in collaboration with
German Red Cross researchers demonstrates our progress toward designing
a treatment process that can complement our platelet and plasma products
and maintain a similar user experience for pathogen inactivation of red
blood cells in the future."
Key presentations of interest include:
-- A Multi-Center Study of Therapeutic Efficacy and Safety of Platelet
Components Prepared with Pathogen Inactivation (INTERCEPT) Stored for 6
or 7 Days Prior to Transfusion, by M Lozano, N Knutson, R Tardivel et
al: INTERCEPT-treated platelet components were found to be effective for
patient support following extended storage of up to seven days in a
clinical study conducted at medical centers in Spain, the United
Kingdom, Sweden and France. The purpose of the 201-patient study was to
provide additional information for clinicians regarding extended storage
of INTERCEPT platelets, which are approved for storage of up to seven
days in accordance with CE marking, but have been more extensively
characterized in studies storing platelets only up to five days. Cerus
announced preliminary results of this study in January.
-- INTERCEPT for Pathogen Inactivation (PI) in Platelet Concentrates (PC)
Effectively Prevents Transfusion-Associated Graft-Versus-Host Disease
(TA-GVHD), by JC Osselaer, L Defoin, C Doyen et al.: The Blood
Transfusion Center of Mont-Godinne, Belgium, presented their analysis of
3645 platelet transfusions to 186 patients at risk of developing
TA-GVHD. No cases were reported in an experience spanning over six years
since the center's adoption of INTERCEPT in 2003, leading investigators
to conclude that INTERCEPT provides a safe prophylaxis against TA-GVHD
in patients undergoing stem cell transplantation.
-- Routine Production of Apheresis Plasma Pathogen Inactivated Using the
INTERCEPT Blood System: Preservation of Plasma Quality, by S Massard, C
Civadier, A Sailliol et al: The French Army blood service detailed their
production results for INTERCEPT plasma, concluding that the system has
been integrated into routine production without the need for additional
personnel or facilities, with final plasma quality consistently meeting
local regulatory requirements. Similar validation results for INTERCEPT
plasma were also presented by French national transfusion service
centers in Centre Atlantique and Auverge Loire.
-- Characterization of Red Cell Concentrates Treated with the S-303
Pathogen Inactivation System and Stored in Saline Adenine
Glucose-Mannitol (SAGM) Solution, by R Henschler, K Janetzko, B Erterek
et al.: German Red Cross and Cerus investigators announced in vitro
results characterizing the quality of red blood cells treated with the
INTERCEPT process. Results from the study demonstrated that the
treatment process is feasible for blood center technicians and produces
red blood cell units meeting European quality standards.
A full list of abstracts can be viewed at http://www.interceptbloodsystem.com/isbtdgti2010.html.
ABOUT CERUS
Cerus Corporation is a biomedical products company focused on
commercializing the INTERCEPT Blood System to enhance blood safety. The
INTERCEPT system is designed to reduce the risk of
transfusion-transmitted diseases by inactivating a broad range of
pathogens such as viruses, bacteria and parasites that may be present in
donated blood. The nucleic acid targeting mechanism of action enables
INTERCEPT treatment to inactivate both established transfusion threats,
such as hepatitis B and C, HIV, West Nile virus and bacteria, as well as
emerging pathogens such as influenza, malaria and dengue. Cerus
currently markets and sells the INTERCEPT Blood System for both
platelets and plasma in Europe, Russia, the Middle East and selected
countries in other regions around the world. The INTERCEPT red blood
cell system is in clinical development. See http://www.cerus.com
for more information.
INTERCEPT and INTERCEPT Blood System are trademarks of Cerus Corporation.
Source: Cerus Corporation