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.”