Coronavirus Inactivation Reported in Recent INTERCEPT Blood System Publication in Transfusion Medicine
January 23 2020 - 8:30AM
Business Wire
Emergence of the 2019 novel coronavirus
(2019-nCoV) underscores the benefits of a proactive approach to
enhancing the safety and availability of the blood supply
Cerus Corporation (Nasdaq:CERS) today announced the publication
of a study in Transfusion Medicine1 on the inactivation of the MERS
(Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome) coronavirus in human platelet
concentrates using the INTERCEPT Blood System for platelets. This
study follows prior publications on the inactivation of the MERS
coronavirus in human plasma2 and the inactivation of the SARS
(Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) coronavirus in human
platelets3. A new coronavirus outbreak is currently ongoing in
China, with the first imported U.S. case confirmed on Tuesday. The
genetic sequence of the new coronavirus, 2019-nCoV, is at least 70%
similar to SARS-CoV4.
A coronavirus is a kind of common virus that causes an infection
in the upper respiratory tracts. More serious coronaviruses – such
as MERS and SARS – can cause severe respiratory illness.
Dr. Laurence Corash, M.D., Cerus’ chief scientific officer said,
“Our research publications show that several members of the
coronavirus family are susceptible to inactivation with amotosalen
and ultraviolet (UVA) light. We have already obtained product
claims for inactivation of SARS-CoV in plasma in both Europe and
the U.S. As new pathogens emerge, we will continue to evaluate the
performance of our INTERCEPT systems, in case any of these new
agents are determined to pose a threat to blood safety.”
The INTERCEPT Blood System is effective in reducing the risk of
transfusion-transmitted infections across a broad spectrum of known
and potentially emerging pathogens by cross-linking the pathogens’
nucleic acids, and thereby blocking the replication of viruses,
bacteria, and parasites present in the blood product. In contrast,
with testing, emerging pathogens need to be identified and could
take time for new tests to be developed and licensed.
Wuhan coronavirus
The new pathogen was first identified in Wuhan, the capital of
Hubei province in China. In recent days, the number of confirmed
cases increased significantly to over 500 with additional cases
identified in Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and the U.S.
Due to the ubiquity of intercontinental travel, viruses can easily
and quickly spread.
Coronaviruses are zoonotic with the pathogen originating in
animals, but subsequent transmissions can occur between
individuals.
Currently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is
unclear on how the virus is being spread between people. Previously
coronaviruses have been spread through respiratory droplets
although in theory, there is an additional risk for transmission
via transfusion of blood products.
- Hashem AM, Hassan AM, Tolah AM, Alsaadi MA, Abunada Q,
Damanhouri GA, El-Kafrawy SA, Picard-Maureau M, Azhar EI, Hindawi
SI. Amotosalen and ultraviolet A light efficiently inactivate
MERS-coronavirus in human platelet concentrates. Transfus Med 2019
(https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/tme.12638)
- Hindawi SI, Hashem AM, Damanhouri GA, El-Kafrawy SA, Tolah AM,
Hassan AM, Azhar EI. Inactivation of Middle East respiratory
syndrome-coronavirus in human plasma using amotosalen and
ultraviolet A light. Transfusion 2018;58: 52-9
(https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/trf.14422)
- Pinna D, Sampson-Johannes A, Clementi M, Poli G, Rossini S, Lin
L, Vicenzi E. Amotosalen photochemical inactivation of severe acute
respiratory syndrome coronavirus in human platelet concentrates.
Transfus Med 2005;15: 269-76.
(https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.0958-7578.2005.00588.x)
- Hui DS, Azhar EI, Madani TA, Ntoumi F, Kock R, Dar O, Ippolito
G, Mchugh TD, Memish ZA, Drosten C, Zumla A, Petersen E. The
continuing 2019-nCoV epidemic threat of novel coronaviruses to
global health - The latest 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak in
Wuhan, China. International Journal of Infectious Diseases, Volume
91, 264 – 266 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijid.2020.01.009)
INTERCEPT Blood System product information for platelets and
plasma can be accessed on the US and international product
websites:
- US information:
https://intercept-usa.com/resources/package-inserts
- International information:
https://www.interceptbloodsystem.com/en/resources?s=technical+data+sheet
ABOUT CERUS
Cerus Corporation is dedicated solely to safeguarding the
world’s blood supply and aims to become the preeminent global blood
products company. Based in Concord, California, our employees are
dedicated to deploying and supplying vital technologies and
pathogen-protected blood components for blood centers, hospitals
and ultimately patients who rely on safe blood. With the INTERCEPT
Blood System, we are focused on protecting patients by delivering
the full complement of reliable products and expertise for
transfusion medicine. Cerus develops and markets the INTERCEPT
Blood System, and remains the only company in the blood transfusion
space to earn both CE Mark and FDA approval for pathogen reduction
of both platelet and plasma components. Cerus currently markets and
sells the INTERCEPT Blood System in the United States, Europe, the
Commonwealth of Independent States, the Middle East and selected
countries in other regions around the world. The INTERCEPT Red
Blood Cell system is in clinical development. For more information
about Cerus, visit www.cerus.com.
INTERCEPT and the INTERCEPT Blood System are trademarks of Cerus
Corporation.
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Tim Lee – Investor Relations Director Cerus Corporation
925-288-6137
Media Contact: Dan Boyle W20 Communications dan@boylepr.com
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