Cerus Corporation (NASDAQ:CERS) has announced the award of a 3-year contract to its distribution partner Companhia Energetica Intergrade by Brazil’s HemoMinas Foundation for the platelets INTERCEPT Blood System.
Cerus picked to Supply INTERCEPT Blood Systems for platelets in Minas Gerais
HemoMinas is a provider of blood products and services in the Minas Gerais state with Homecentro of Belo Horizonte its largest blood service distributing around 25,000 platelet doses to hospitals yearly. Cerus’ commercial operations senior director in Latin American, Hans Vermeij said that they are delighted that HemoMinas picked the company to supply the INTERCEPT Blood System for platelets in the state of Minas Gerais. Vermeij said that the award of the contract is a massive endorsement for the company and CEI’s products and services and the significance of pathogen reduced blood components in the South American country.
HemoMinas’ medical director, Dr. Maisa Aparecida Ribero said that the pathogen reduced blood components introduction is a massive part of the company’s blood safety strategy in the state. Ribero said that INTERCEPT will offer a foundational blood safety strategy that will protect patients from pathogens such as Dengue, Zika virus, and Chikungunya virus. Most importantly it is a timely and forward-looking step in preparation for the inevitable subsequent emerging pathogens.
CEI delighted to advance INTERCEPT Blood System in Brazil
Commenting on the award, CEI President, Paulo Pacheco said that they are delighted to advance INTERCEPT Blood System adoption in Brazil through the partnership with Cerus. He said that the collaboration will help in establishing a new safety level and blood transfusions availability.
So far, the INTERCEPT Blood System for plasma and platelets is the only pathogen reduction system that Agencia Nacional de Vigilancia Sanitari has approved for commercial use in the country. Currently, more than 3.7 million apheresis and whole blood components are collected each year in Brazil. The INTERCEPT Blood System has FDA approval for plasma and platelets and it is currently under regulatory review for red blood cells in EE and late-stage clinical trials in the US.
