Cerus granted label expansion for use of Intercept Blood System

These expanded label claims allow blood banks in Europe to use the Intercept Blood System in place of gamma irradiation for the prevention of transfusion-associated graft-vs.-host disease (TA-GVHD). The Paul Ehrlich Institute in Germany has already authorized the use of the Intercept platelet system to replace gamma irradiation for prevention of TA-GVHD and Afssaps in France has made similar authorizations for both the Intercept platelet and plasma systems.

Claes Glassell, president and CEO of Cerus, said: “By replacing procedures such as gamma irradiation, bacterial testing and CMV screening, Intercept can save blood banks costs associated with screening and testing blood components, while reducing the risk of transfusion-related adverse events and extending the shelf-life of donated blood.”