CONCORD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Cerus Corporation (NASDAQ:CERS) announced today that Aalborg University
Hospital, Denmark, signed a five year project collaboration agreement
for the INTERCEPT Blood System for platelets.
The first hospital in Denmark to adopt INTERCEPT, the department of FBE
Klinisk Immunologi at Aalborg University Hospital transfuses an
estimated 2,200 platelet units annually to Region Nordjylland,
representing approximately 6% of Denmark’s platelet market.
“Bacterial contamination of platelets is one of the most prevalent
infectious risks in blood transfusion, posing serious health risks to
transfusion patients. We believe the INTERCEPT Blood system will
significantly decrease residual risk due to bacterial contamination, and
offer key operational advantages such as reduced waste rates,” stated
Dr. Kim Varming of the department of FBE Klinisk Immunologi.
“We are extremely pleased with Aalborg University Hospital's position on
blood safety, as shown by its proactive approach to protecting their
patients against transfusion transmitted infections,” said Caspar
Hogeboom, president of Cerus Europe. “Through 10 years of routine use,
INTERCEPT demonstrated improved patient outcomes as supported by
hemovigilance data in which INTERCEPT-treated platelet components
prevented septic transfusion reactions. Logistics and component
availability are also positively impacted resulting in cost-effective
blood center operations. We look forward to working with Aalborg
University Hospital in their mission for improved blood safety, and hope
to extend implementation of INTERCEPT platelets to other Danish centers
in the future.”
ABOUT CERUS
Cerus Corporation is a biomedical products company focused on enhancing
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 established transfusion threats, such
as hepatitis B and C, HIV, West Nile virus and bacteria, and is designed
to inactivate emerging pathogens such as influenza, malaria and dengue.
Cerus currently markets and sells the INTERCEPT Blood System for both
platelets and plasma in Europe, the Commonwealth of Independent States,
the Middle East and selected countries in other regions around
the world. In the United States, Cerus is seeking regulatory approval of
the INTERCEPT Blood System for plasma and platelets. The INTERCEPT red
blood cell system is in clinical development. See http://www.cerus.com for
more information.
INTERCEPT and the INTERCEPT Blood System are trademarks of Cerus
Corporation.
Except for the historical statements contained herein, this press
release contains forward-looking statements concerning Cerus’ products,
prospects and results, including statements regarding the expected
implementation schedule of the INTERCEPT platelet system at FBE Klinisk
Immunologi Blodbanken. Actual results could differ materially from these
forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including,
without limitation, risks associated with demand for the INTERCEPT Blood
System, including the risk that purchases of the platelet system may be
less than anticipated thereunder, risks relating to Cerus’ ability to
meet its supply obligations, as well as other risks detailed in Cerus’
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Cerus’
Quarterly Report on Form 10-K for the quarter ended March 31, 2013 filed
with the SEC on May 3, 2013. Cerus disclaims any obligation or
undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained
in this press release.
Source: Cerus Corporation